🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Altitude Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital Caracas Accounts circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude jets in the Venezuelan capital in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning. This incident has sparked claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for global action. Caracas Accuses United States of Attack The socialist administration has condemned the US of committing "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump allegedly authorized military strikes against the South American state. In an official announcement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and three other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. "Our primary goal of these strikes is to take control of our nation's key assets, notably its oil and minerals," the government said. Venezuelan officials called on the international community to censure the operations, which it termed a "blatant breach of international norms" that endangered millions of civilians in danger. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted Locals reported hearing approximately multiple detonations around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various neighborhoods allegedly ran into the streets outside. "The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We experienced blasts and planes in the area," said one resident. Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from key army bases in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Maduro is believed to reside. International Reaction The leader of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on X that "Currently they are bombing Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He demanded an swift emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, stated it would initiate security protocols at its border with its neighbor. Preceding Events The alleged strikes are preceded by a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Since August, authorities reported a significant US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a series of strikes on vessels accused of narco-trafficking. Venezuela's government has announced "a state of external threat" and directed all national defence measures to be initiated. It has also called on its citizens to protest and "denounce this imperialist attack." American officials and the Pentagon have not promptly responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.