🔗 Share this article Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Heard in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City Reports circulated of several blasts and the sound of low-flying planes in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. The situation has sparked allegations from the Venezuelan leadership and requests for global scrutiny. Venezuela Accuses Washington of Attack Venezuela's incumbent government has condemned the Washington of what it calls "imperial aggression," stating that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly ordered attacks against the South American nation. In an official announcement, the authorities stated that attacks had impacted the capital and three other regions: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state. "Our sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's natural resources, especially its crude oil and minerals," Venezuela declared. The government urged the international community to denounce the actions, which it described a "blatant breach of international law" that put millions of civilians in danger. Reports of Blasts and Defense Installations Hit Eyewitnesses spoke of experiencing roughly seven powerful blasts around 2 a.m. local time. Citizens in different areas allegedly rushed into the open. "The whole ground shook. This is frightening. We heard explosions and planes in the sky," stated one witness. Smoke was seen rising from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military base, where leader Nicolás Maduro is believed to live. International Reaction The president of bordering Colombia, claimed on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Venezuela... attacking it with missiles." He demanded an urgent meeting of the Security Council. The Colombian government, which recently joined the Security Council, said it would initiate security plans at its shared border with Venezuela. Preceding Events The reported strikes come after a months-long pressure campaign by the US against the Maduro government. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant naval presence off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking. Venezuela's government has stated "a state of external disturbance" and directed all national defense plans to be implemented. It has also summoned its supporters to mobilize and "reject this imperialist aggression." The White House and the Defense Department have not publicly responded to requests for a statement regarding the reports.