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Witness testimonies emerged of several blasts and the roar of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. The incident has led to accusations from Venezuela's leadership and requests for global scrutiny.

Venezuela Blames US of Military Action

The incumbent government has blamed the US of committing "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed attacks against the South American nation. In an formal declaration, the authorities confirmed that strikes had impacted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, especially its petroleum and mineral wealth," the statement declared.

Caracas appealed to the world to condemn the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that put countless of civilians in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Targeted

Eyewitnesses described hearing at least several powerful blasts around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in several districts allegedly ran into the streets.

"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and jets in the area," stated one local.

Plumes of smoke was observed rising from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to have a residence.

International Response

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are bombing Caracas... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the UNSC, announced it would activate defense protocols at its frontier with its neighbor.

Context

These alleged attacks come after a extended campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan administration. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of airstrikes on ships accused of illegal activities.

Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and ordered all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this external act."

American officials and the Pentagon have not immediately addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.