🔗 Share this article Blasts and Low-Flying Jets Reported in Venezuela's Capital City Caracas City Reports surfaced of several detonations and the roar of low-flying jets in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of Saturday morning. The event has sparked claims from Venezuela's government and calls for diplomatic scrutiny. Venezuela Blames Washington of Attack The authoritarian government has blamed the Washington of what it calls "foreign aggression," alleging that former President Donald Trump reportedly directed military strikes against the South American nation. In an official statement, the authorities confirmed that attacks had impacted Caracas and several other states: Miranda state, La Guaira, and Aragua state. "The sole aim of these strikes is to seize control of our nation's strategic resources, in particular its petroleum and minerals," the government said. The government appealed to the world to condemn the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered millions of civilians in danger. Accounts of Blasts and Defense Bases Targeted Residents described experiencing at least multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Residents in various neighborhoods reportedly ran into the streets. "The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and aircraft in the distance," stated one resident. Smoke was seen rising from major military installations in the city: the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base military base, where leader Maduro is thought to live. Regional Response The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "Right now they are bombing Caracas... attacking it with rockets." He requested an immediate meeting of the UN Security Council. The Colombian government, which just became a member of the Security Council, said it would activate security measures at its border with its neighbor. Preceding Events The reported attacks are preceded by a prolonged pressure campaign by the US against the Venezuelan government. Since last summer, authorities reported a substantial American military deployment off Venezuela's northern coast and a series of air strikes on boats linked to narco-trafficking. Venezuela's government has stated "the implementation of external disturbance" and directed all national defence protocols to be activated. It has also urged its political forces to take to the streets and "reject this foreign attack." US authorities and the Pentagon did not immediately responded to requests for clarification regarding the events.