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Witness testimonies circulated of numerous blasts and the roar of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has led to accusations from the Venezuelan government and requests for global scrutiny.

Venezuela Condemns US of Aggression

Venezuela's authoritarian administration has condemned the Washington of an act of "imperialist aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly directed attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal declaration, the authorities asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"The primary goal of this attack is to take control of Venezuela's natural resources, in particular its crude oil and minerals," the government said.

Caracas appealed to the international community to condemn the operations, which it described a "flagrant violation of international norms" that placed countless of civilians in danger.

Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Hit

Eyewitnesses spoke of hearing approximately seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. People in several areas reportedly rushed into the open.

"The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.

Plumes of smoke was seen pouring from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where president Maduro is believed to live.

Global Reaction

The president of neighboring Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Caracas... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an urgent emergency session of the UN Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the UNSC, said it would activate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor.

Context

These alleged strikes are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a major US military presence off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a series of airstrikes on ships suspected of narco-trafficking.

Venezuela's administration has stated "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign attack."

American officials and the US Department of Defense did not promptly commented on requests for comment regarding the events.