Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. This situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for international action.
Venezuela's incumbent regime has accused the Washington of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Trump allegedly ordered strikes against the Latin American nation. In an public announcement, the government asserted that attacks had hit Caracas and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.
"The primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted.
Venezuelan officials called on the world to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in danger.
Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in various areas reportedly rushed into the streets outside.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and jets in the area," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported rising from key military installations in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.
The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate defense protocols at its border with Venezuela.
These reported strikes come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a major naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
The government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and commanded all defense measures to be activated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "repudiate this foreign aggression."
American officials and the Defense Department have not promptly commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the events.
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