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Reports circulated of multiple explosions and the roar of low-altitude jets in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday. This event has sparked accusations from Venezuela's government and requests for global scrutiny.

Venezuela Accuses United States of Military Action

The authoritarian administration has accused the United States of an act of "foreign aggression," stating that ex- President Trump supposedly ordered military strikes against the Latin American state. In an formal statement, the government asserted that attacks had targeted Caracas and three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua state.

"Our sole aim of this attack is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, in particular its oil and resources," Venezuela asserted.

The government appealed to the global community to censure the actions, which it termed a "clear infringement of international norms" that placed millions of civilians in jeopardy.

Accounts of Explosions and Defense Bases Hit

Residents described hearing roughly multiple detonations around the middle of the night in the morning. Citizens in several neighborhoods allegedly ran into the open.

"The earth trembled. This is terrifying. We heard explosions and aircraft in the sky," commented one witness.

Plumes of smoke was reported billowing from major military installations in Caracas: the La Carlota airbase airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where leader Maduro is reported to live.

International Response

The president of neighboring Colombia, stated on a social platform that "Currently they are attacking Caracas... attacking it with missiles." He requested an immediate emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

The Colombian government, which recently became a member of the Security Council, stated it would activate defense plans at its frontier with Venezuela.

Context

These reported strikes are preceded by a months-long campaign of pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan regime. Beginning in last summer, authorities reported a significant US military buildup off Venezuela's northern coast and a number of air strikes on ships accused of illegal activities.

The government has declared "a state of emergency" and commanded all national defense plans to be initiated. It has also summoned its political forces to take to the streets and "repudiate this external act."

American officials and the US Department of Defense have not promptly addressed requests for comment regarding the reports.