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Witness testimonies circulated of several detonations and the noise of low-altitude planes in Caracas in the small hours of the weekend. The incident has sparked allegations from Venezuela's leadership and calls for diplomatic action.

Venezuela Condemns United States of Military Action

The authoritarian regime has blamed the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," stating that former President Donald Trump allegedly directed strikes against the South American nation. In an public statement, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira state, and Aragua.

"Our primary goal of these strikes is to seize control of Venezuela's strategic resources, notably its oil and resources," the government said.

Caracas called on the global community to censure the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of international law" that placed numerous of lives at risk in jeopardy.

Reports of Explosions and Defense Bases Targeted

Residents reported feeling roughly multiple powerful blasts around the middle of the night local time. Residents in various districts allegedly rushed into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. It was frightening. We experienced explosions and jets in the distance," stated one witness.

Smoke was observed rising from two army bases in the city: the La Carlota airbase air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is believed to have a residence.

Global Condemnation

The leader of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an urgent emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate operational protocols at its border with Venezuela.

Background

These alleged strikes come after a prolonged campaign of pressure by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, there has been a significant US military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.

The government has declared "a state of external threat" and commanded all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also called on its political forces to mobilize and "reject this external attack."

US authorities and the Defense Department have not publicly addressed inquiries for a statement regarding the allegations.