🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Jets Heard in Venezuelan Capital Caracas City Witness testimonies circulated of numerous detonations and the noise of low-flying aircraft in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. The event has sparked accusations from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global intervention. Caracas Accuses Washington of Military Action Venezuela's authoritarian government has condemned the United States of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly authorized strikes against the South American state. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had targeted the capital and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state. "The sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," the government asserted. Caracas urged the global community to censure the strikes, which it termed a "clear infringement of international norms" that put numerous of lives at risk in peril. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Hit Eyewitnesses reported experiencing roughly several explosions around 2 a.m. local time. People in different areas allegedly hurried into the streets. "The whole ground shook. It was terrifying. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," stated one witness. Black smoke was reported billowing from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live. Global Response The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on X that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He requested an swift meeting of the UN Security Council. The Colombian government, which just became a member of the UNSC, stated it would initiate operational protocols at its frontier with Venezuela. Background The alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant American military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on boats suspected of illegal activities. Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its supporters to protest and "reject this imperialist attack." US authorities and the Defense Department did not immediately addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.