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Witness testimonies circulated of multiple detonations and the sound of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning. This situation has led to claims from Venezuela's leadership and requests for international scrutiny.

Venezuela Condemns Washington of Aggression

Venezuela's socialist government has accused the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," claiming that former President Trump reportedly ordered attacks against the Latin American country. In an formal statement, the authorities stated that attacks had hit Caracas and several other provinces: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua.

"The only objective of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and mineral wealth," Venezuela asserted.

Venezuelan officials appealed to the world to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that placed countless of lives in peril.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Hit

Locals spoke of experiencing at least seven explosions around 2 a.m. in the morning. Residents in several districts reportedly ran into the streets.

"The whole ground shook. It was horrible. We heard explosions and aircraft in the distance," stated one witness.

Plumes of smoke was seen rising from key defense sites in the city: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna compound, where leader Nicolás Maduro is reported to live.

Global Condemnation

The leader of bordering Colombia, wrote on social media that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He demanded an immediate meeting of the Security Council.

Colombia, which just joined the Security Council, stated it would initiate operational plans at its frontier with its neighbor.

Background

The alleged strikes come after a prolonged military buildup by the US against the Maduro government. Beginning in August, there has been a major US military buildup off the country's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on ships accused of drug trafficking.

The government has declared "a state of external threat" and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also called on its citizens to mobilize and "reject this external act."

The White House and the Defense Department have not immediately addressed inquiries for comment regarding the reports.