🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Flying Aircraft Witnessed in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the early hours of the weekend. The situation has prompted claims from Venezuela's government and requests for diplomatic intervention. Caracas Condemns US of Aggression Venezuela's authoritarian administration has accused the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that ex- President Trump allegedly directed attacks against the Latin American state. In an public statement, the authorities stated that strikes had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. "Our only objective of these strikes is to gain control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and minerals," the government asserted. The government called on the world to denounce the operations, which it labeled a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed countless of lives at risk in jeopardy. Accounts of Blasts and Military Sites Hit Locals described experiencing roughly seven explosions around 2:00 AM in the morning. Residents in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets outside. "The earth trembled. This is frightening. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one resident. Smoke was seen billowing from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to reside. Regional Response The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on social media that "Right now they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with rockets." He demanded an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council. Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate defense plans at its shared border with its neighbor. Background These alleged attacks are preceded by a extended campaign of pressure by the US against the Maduro administration. Since August, authorities reported a substantial US military buildup off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities. The administration has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all defense plans to be activated. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign aggression." The White House and the US Department of Defense have not publicly commented on requests for a statement regarding the allegations.