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Accounts circulated of multiple detonations and the roar of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of the weekend. This situation has led to claims from Venezuela's government and requests for international intervention.

Caracas Condemns United States of Military Action

Venezuela's incumbent regime has condemned the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the South American state. In an official statement, the authorities asserted that attacks had hit the capital and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"The primary goal of this aggression is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the government declared.

The government appealed to the global community to censure the operations, which it labeled a "flagrant violation of global law" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril.

Reports of Blasts and Military Installations Hit

Locals spoke of hearing approximately several explosions around 2:00 AM local time. Residents in several areas reportedly ran into the streets.

"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," said one resident.

Black smoke was seen pouring from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Nicolás Maduro is believed to have a residence.

Regional Reaction

The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He requested an swift meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would activate defense plans at its shared border with Venezuela.

Background

These alleged attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, there has been a substantial naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking.

Venezuela's government has announced "the implementation of emergency" and directed all national defense protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "reject this imperialist attack."

American officials and the US Department of Defense did not immediately responded to inquiries for clarification regarding the allegations.