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Witness testimonies circulated of multiple explosions and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This incident has led to accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for international action.

Caracas Condemns Washington of Military Action

The incumbent regime has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities stated that attacks had hit the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"The sole aim of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and mineral wealth," the government asserted.

Caracas appealed to the international community to denounce the strikes, which it termed a "flagrant violation of global law" that put countless of lives in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Installations Hit

Residents spoke of hearing approximately multiple explosions around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in different areas allegedly ran into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the distance," commented one resident.

Smoke was reported billowing from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is thought to have a residence.

International Condemnation

The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He called for an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.

The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, announced it would initiate operational protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.

Background

These reported strikes follow a extended campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant naval presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking.

The government has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all national defence measures to be implemented. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this imperialist act."

American officials and the Pentagon have not publicly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the events.