đź”— Share this article Explosions and Low-Altitude Planes Reported in Venezuelan Capital City Caracas City Accounts circulated of numerous detonations and the sound of low-flying aircraft in Caracas in the small hours of Saturday morning. The event has prompted allegations from Venezuela's leadership and demands for diplomatic action. Venezuela Condemns Washington of Attack The socialist government has accused the US of what it calls "imperial aggression," alleging that former President Trump reportedly directed strikes against the Latin American country. In an official announcement, the government confirmed that attacks had targeted the capital and several other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. "The primary goal of these strikes is to gain control of Venezuela's key assets, especially its crude oil and mineral wealth," the statement declared. Caracas called on the international community to denounce the strikes, which it described a "clear infringement of global law" that endangered numerous of lives in peril. Accounts of Explosions and Defense Sites Targeted Eyewitnesses reported experiencing at least multiple powerful blasts around 2 a.m. in the morning. Citizens in several neighborhoods reportedly rushed into the open. "The earth trembled. This is frightening. We experienced blasts and jets in the sky," said one witness. Plumes of smoke was reported rising from two defense sites in the city: the La Carlota air base and the Fuerte Tiuna base compound, where president Maduro is reported to live. Regional Reaction The president of bordering Colombia, Gustavo Petro, stated on a social platform that "Right now they are bombing Venezuela... attacking it with projectiles." He requested an immediate meeting of the Security Council. Colombia, which recently became a member of the Security Council, said it would initiate operational measures at its shared border with Venezuela. Context These reported attacks come after a months-long military buildup by the Trump administration against the Maduro regime. Since last summer, authorities reported a significant American military buildup off the country's Caribbean coast and a number of strikes on vessels accused of illegal activities. The government has stated "a state of emergency" and ordered all national defence protocols to be implemented. It has also summoned its political forces to mobilize and "denounce this external act." US authorities and the Pentagon have not publicly addressed requests for a statement regarding the reports.