🔗 Share this article Blasts and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas Reports circulated of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. This incident has prompted allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for diplomatic intervention. Venezuela Accuses Washington of Aggression The socialist administration has blamed the US of committing "imperial aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. "Our only objective of this attack is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," Venezuela said. The government called on the international community to denounce the strikes, which it labeled a "clear infringement of global law" that put millions of civilians in danger. Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit Eyewitnesses reported experiencing approximately seven powerful blasts around 2:00 AM local time. People in several districts reportedly rushed into the streets. "The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," said one local. Black smoke was seen pouring from major army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to reside. Global Response The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on social media that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council. The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the UNSC, stated it would activate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela. Preceding Events The reported attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of air strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking. The administration has announced "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its political forces to protest and "denounce this imperialist attack." US authorities and the Pentagon did not promptly addressed inquiries for comment regarding the reports.