CARACAS, VENEZUELA January 3, 2026 – Multiple explosions illuminated the night sky over Venezuela’s capital early Saturday, with witnesses and social media footage capturing dramatic blasts and plumes of smoke rising near key military installations. The incidents, which occurred around 2 a.m. local time, have fueled speculation of direct US military involvement, escalating long-simmering tensions between Washington and the Maduro government over alleged drug trafficking operations.
The reports first gained traction on social media, including a widely shared video posted by the account @BRICSinfo on X (formerly Twitter), showing fiery detonations and missile-like trails arcing through the darkness. The footage, filmed from what appears to be a residential or office building overlooking the city, depicts intense orange fireballs and lingering smoke clouds, with audible booms echoing in the background. Subtitles in the video capture panicked voices urging caution: “Look, but come here. Don’t go in there because we don’t know what’s going on over there.”
Eyewitness accounts described at least seven explosions, accompanied by the roar of low-flying aircraft and widespread power outages in southern Caracas, particularly near the El Libertador Air Base and Fuerte Tiuna military complex. Social media users reported active air defenses engaging incoming threats, with unverified videos showing helicopters—potentially US Apache attack models—patrolling the skies. One post from @Global_Index claimed an airstrike targeted a refinery or factory in the city, while others noted strikes on ports in La Guaira and military sites in Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states.
The Venezuelan government swiftly denounced the events as “aggression” by the United States, confirming strikes on civilian and military locations in a statement: “Venezuela denuncia agresión de Estados Unidos contra territorio y población venezolanos en las localidades civiles y militares de la ciudad de Caracas, y los estados Miranda, Aragua y La Guaira.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro echoed the alarm on X, posting: “At this moment they are bombing Caracas. Alert everyone — they have attacked Venezuela.”
US officials, speaking to CBS News, confirmed that President Donald Trump authorized the strikes on Venezuelan sites, including military facilities, as part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking networks. This follows Trump’s announcement last week of a US strike on a Venezuelan docking facility used for drug boats—the first acknowledged land operation on Venezuelan soil since the US began targeting vessels in September 2025. As of January 3, the US has conducted at least 35 boat strikes, resulting in over 115 deaths, according to administration figures.
In response to the escalating situation, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) imposed a total flight ban over Venezuelan airspace, prohibiting all US-registered aircraft from operating there regardless of altitude. Flight tracking data shows no civilian aircraft in the region, effectively turning it into a military no-fly zone.
While some reports suggest US ground forces, including special operations units transported by CH-47 Chinook helicopters, are active in and around Caracas to secure targets or pursue high-value individuals like President Nicolás Maduro, others caution that claims of a full-scale invasion remain unverified. Fact-checking accounts like @ArAIstotle noted discrepancies, stating there’s “no evidence the US bombed Caracas” directly, though rural and coastal targets have been hit in prior operations. Venezuelan authorities have not provided casualty figures, and the White House has yet to issue an official statement beyond acknowledging awareness of the reports.
The strikes come amid heightened rhetoric from Trump, who has repeatedly threatened action against Venezuelan “narco-terrorism” and pressured Maduro to relinquish power. Maduro, indicted on narco-terrorism charges in the US since 2020, recently expressed openness to talks on drug cooperation but has remained defiant. Analysts warn that the operations could mark a new phase in US-Venezuela relations, potentially drawing in regional powers and impacting global oil markets given Venezuela’s vast reserves.
As investigations continue, residents in Caracas reported tanks patrolling streets near the Miraflores Presidential Palace and sirens blaring, underscoring the chaos.The full extent of the damage and any casualties remains unclear, with both sides yet to fully verify the cause amid the fog of breaking developments.
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