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Witness testimonies surfaced of numerous explosions and the roar of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This event has prompted allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for diplomatic scrutiny.

Caracas Condemns Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's incumbent government has blamed the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump supposedly directed military strikes against the Latin American nation. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had hit Caracas and three other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.

"Our only objective of this aggression is to seize control of our nation's key assets, especially its petroleum and resources," the government said.

Caracas appealed to the international community to censure the operations, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put numerous of civilians in danger.

Accounts of Blasts and Military Bases Hit

Residents spoke of feeling approximately multiple detonations around 2 a.m. in the morning. People in various areas reportedly rushed into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and planes in the area," stated one resident.

Smoke was observed billowing from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is thought to live.

International Response

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, claimed on a social platform that "At this moment they are striking Venezuela... bombing it with projectiles." He requested an urgent emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the UNSC, said it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Context

The alleged attacks are preceded by a extended pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military deployment off Venezuela's Caribbean coast and a number of air strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking.

The administration has declared "the implementation of external disturbance" and ordered all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also urged its citizens to take to the streets and "reject this external aggression."

American officials and the Pentagon did not publicly commented on requests for comment regarding the reports.