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Reports surfaced of several blasts and the sound of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the pre-dawn hours of Saturday. This situation has led to accusations from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny.

Venezuela Accuses US of Attack

Venezuela's socialist government has accused the US of an act of "foreign aggression," claiming that former President Donald Trump reportedly authorized military strikes against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted the capital and several other regions: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"The sole aim of this attack is to take control of our nation's natural resources, notably its crude oil and minerals," the statement asserted.

Venezuelan officials called on the world to censure the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that placed countless of lives at risk in danger.

Accounts of Explosions and Military Sites Hit

Eyewitnesses described hearing roughly seven detonations around the middle of the night local time. People in various areas reportedly hurried into the streets.

"The earth trembled. It was horrible. We experienced explosions and aircraft in the area," said one local.

Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from major defense sites in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base army base, where president Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.

Regional Response

The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on X that "At this moment they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate operational protocols at its shared border with Venezuela.

Preceding Events

The alleged attacks come after a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the Maduro government. Since August, there has been a major naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a series of strikes on ships suspected of illegal activities.

Venezuela's government has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defense measures to be initiated. It has also urged its supporters to take to the streets and "denounce this foreign aggression."

US authorities and the US Department of Defense have not promptly responded to requests for a statement regarding the events.