🔗 Share this article Detonations and Low-Altitude Aircraft Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City Reports circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying planes in the Venezuelan capital in the small hours of the weekend. The event has prompted claims from Venezuela's authorities and calls for diplomatic scrutiny. Caracas Condemns US of Attack Venezuela's socialist government has condemned the US of what it calls "foreign aggression," claiming that ex- President Donald Trump supposedly directed attacks against the South American state. In an public declaration, the government stated that strikes had targeted the capital and three other states: Miranda state, La Guaira state, and Aragua state. "The primary goal of this aggression is to take control of our nation's natural resources, especially its oil and resources," the statement asserted. The government appealed to the global community to denounce the operations, which it described a "clear infringement of international norms" that put millions of lives at risk in peril. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Installations Targeted Eyewitnesses spoke of feeling roughly several detonations around 2 a.m. local time. People in several districts allegedly rushed into the streets. "The earth trembled. This is horrible. We heard explosions and jets in the sky," stated one local. Plumes of smoke was reported pouring from two military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna army base, where president Maduro is believed to have a residence. Global Reaction The leader of neighboring Colombia, stated on social media that "Currently they are striking Venezuela... attacking it with rockets." He called for an immediate emergency meeting of the Security Council. The Colombian government, which just joined the Security Council, said it would initiate operational plans at its border with its neighbor. Context The reported strikes follow a months-long military buildup by the United States against the Maduro administration. Beginning in last summer, there has been a significant American military presence off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships linked to drug trafficking. The administration has declared "a state of external threat" and directed all defense protocols to be initiated. It has also summoned its citizens to protest and "repudiate this external aggression." American officials and the Defense Department have not immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the events.