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Witness testimonies circulated of several blasts and the noise of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to claims from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international intervention.

Caracas Condemns United States of Attack

The socialist government has blamed the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our primary goal of this attack is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, notably its petroleum and resources," the government declared.

The government called on the international community to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Installations Targeted

Locals reported experiencing at least multiple explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in various areas reportedly rushed into the streets outside.

"Everything shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the distance," commented one local.

Smoke was reported billowing from two military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.

International Response

The president of bordering Colombia, wrote on a social platform that "At this moment they are attacking Caracas... bombing it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, announced it would activate defense measures at its frontier with its neighbor.

Context

The reported attacks follow a prolonged campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro government. Since August, authorities reported a major naval deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on boats linked to drug trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has declared "the implementation of external threat" and directed all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this external act."

US authorities and the Pentagon did not publicly addressed requests for comment regarding the allegations.