Witness testimonies surfaced of several explosions and the sound of low-altitude planes in the Venezuelan capital in the early hours of the weekend. The event has led to allegations from Venezuela's authorities and requests for international action.
Venezuela's socialist regime has blamed the US of an act of "imperialist aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump reportedly authorized attacks against the Latin American state. In an official declaration, the government confirmed that strikes had hit Caracas and several other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state.
"The sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, in particular its oil and mineral wealth," the statement said.
Venezuelan officials called on the international community to condemn the strikes, which it described a "blatant breach of international norms" that put millions of lives in jeopardy.
Residents described feeling approximately several detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in different neighborhoods allegedly hurried into the open.
"Everything shook. This is horrible. We heard blasts and aircraft in the sky," commented one local.
Black smoke was reported pouring from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to reside.
The leader of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Right now they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Colombia, which recently became a member of the UNSC, said it would activate operational measures at its shared border with its neighbor.
These reported attacks are preceded by a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Venezuelan government. Beginning in August, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of airstrikes on vessels linked to illegal activities.
Venezuela's administration has declared "a state of emergency" and ordered all defense measures to be implemented. It has also urged its supporters to protest and "denounce this external aggression."
US authorities and the Pentagon did not immediately commented on inquiries for a statement regarding the reports.
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