Multiple Explosions and Aircraft Sounds Reported in Caracas

AP

Pedestrians run after explosions were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, on 3 January 2026.

Venezuela ’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states after at least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in the capital, Caracas.

The Pentagon and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas. Another military installation in the capital was without power.
 
The incidents come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, after U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela and deployed a US Navy task force to the Caribbean.

President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, U.S. officials told CBS News, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has "signed and ordered the implementation of the Decree declaring a state of external commotion throughout the national territory".

He has also ordered all national defense plans to be implemented "at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances".

Earlier this week, Trump said the United States had struck and destroyed a docking area allegedly used by Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats. He declined to specify whether the operation was carried out by the U.S. military or the CIA, or to disclose the exact location, saying only that it took place “along the shore”. If confirmed, it would mark the first known land strike on Venezuelan territory.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has neither confirmed nor denied the reported strike but said on Thursday that he remained open to cooperation with Washington, despite weeks of escalating U.S. military and political pressure.

The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has vowed to intensify efforts to combat narcotics trafficking. Maduro has repeatedly denied the allegations, accusing the United States of attempting to destabilise his government because Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

In recent weeks, Washington has increased pressure on Caracas by tightening sanctions, seizing tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and informally restricting Venezuela’s airspace.

U.S. forces have also conducted numerous strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since September, targeting vessels Washington says are linked to drug smuggling. However, the U.S. administration has not publicly provided evidence to support these claims, raising legal and humanitarian concerns.

According to information released by the U.S. military, the maritime campaign has resulted in at least 107 deaths across more than 30 strikes, intensifying scrutiny of the operations.

Sources: FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters



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