On 3 January 2026, explosions and reports of low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, amid escalating tensions between the United States and the Venezuelan government. Venezuelan authorities have accused the United States of launching strikes on multiple civilian and military sites, including military installations and infrastructure across several states.

Residents in Caracas reported hearing at least seven loud blasts early on Saturday morning, with witnesses describing plumes of smoke rising near key military locations such as the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base and the La Carlota area. Power disruptions also affected parts of the city following the explosions. Venezuelan officials labelled the actions an “imperialist attack” and called on citizens to mobilise in response to what they described as aggression by the United States.

The Government of Venezuela, led by President Nicolás Maduro, issued statements rejecting what it called US military aggression. Caracas reported that the strikes targeted both civilian and military installations, and Maduro declared a state of external disturbance, directing national defence measures and urging public opposition to the reported attacks.

These developments follow a broader period of heightened US military activity in the region, including operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels and a drone strike on a docking area inside Venezuelan territory late last year that US officials said was aimed at drug trafficking infrastructure. That strike, discussed by US media and attributed to US intelligence action, marked the first acknowledged direct operation on Venezuelan soil as part of ongoing pressure on the Maduro government.

The US administration has previously framed its operations against Venezuela as part of efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and organised crime. President Donald Trump and US officials have deployed military and intelligence assets in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in recent months, citing threats posed by drug networks. However, the United States has not issued an official, detailed confirmation of its role in the explosions reported in Caracas on Saturday, and statements from the Pentagon and the White House were not immediately available at the time of reporting.

The situation remains fluid, with international attention focused on the implications of the overnight attacks for stability in Venezuela and broader regional security.

Sources:
• Venezuela accuses U.S. of attacks on civilian and military installations – Associated Press / AP News (via Reuters and AP) 
• Explosions reported in Venezuelan capital Caracas amid U.S. tension – The Guardian