BREAKING: Multiple explosions rock Caracas as Venezuela accuses U.S. of strikes “in Caracas and several states”
Chinook and Apache Helicopters seen; reports of "boots on the ground" are surfacing
Residents and journalists in Caracas have reported at least seven loud explosions around ~2:00 a.m local time (1:00 AM EST), with low-flying aircraft heard/seen and columns of smoke observed in several areas of the capital.
At the same time, Venezuela’s government issued a statement describing the events as U.S. “military aggression,” saying attacks occurred not only in Caracas but also in multiple states — specifically Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira — and announcing a national emergency and mobilization plans.
The U.S. government has not (as of 3am EST) issued an on-the-record confirmation, and early reporting emphasizes that cause, targets, and damage remain unclear, with social-media video widely circulated but not independently verified.
What’s being reported on the ground (with caveats)
Confirmed by multiple outlets / reporters on scene
At least seven explosions were heard in Caracas at roughly 2 a.m. local time.
Low-flying aircraft were reported over the city at the same time.
Power outages were reported in parts of Caracas — including areas near the reported military sites; Reuters specifically notes a southern area near a major military base without electricity.
Smoke / black plumes were visible: AP reported smoke rising from the hangar of a military base, and Washington Post and AP photographs/eyewitness accounts place smoke around the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base (La Carlota) area.
Locations named in reporting (still not “official target lists”)
Multiple reports tie smoke/explosions to La Carlota (central/eastern Caracas), and to Fuerte Tiuna, a major military complex. These are described as key military installations, with eyewitness accounts reporting smoke from both.
The Guardian also notes Higuerote airport “seemed affected” in some reporting, but details are thin and should be treated as provisional until corroborated.
Reuters stresses it was not immediately clear exactly where all disturbances were occurring and that it could not verify circulating videos at the time.
Civilian reaction
AP describes people running into the streets in multiple neighborhoods; one witness said: “The whole ground shook … we heard explosions and planes.”
AP also notes Venezuelan state TV did not interrupt programming in the immediate period it observed.
Statement by Colombian President
President Gustavo Petro of neighboring Colombia publicly asserted that Caracas was under attack and pressed for urgent multilateral action.
Two widely circulated versions of his statement appear in major reporting:
Via the Guardian: “Right now they are bombing Caracas … bombing it with missiles,” Petro wrote, calling for an immediate UN Security Council emergency session.
Via Reuters: Petro posted, “At this moment they are bombing Caracas… Alert everyone… They are bombing with missiles. The OAS and the UN must meet immediately.”
Venezuelan Statements
Venezuela’s government, in official statements carried by major outlets, squarely blamed the United States for what it described as strikes in Caracas and in several states.
Reuters reports the government said it “rejects the military aggression” and described the attacks as occurring in Caracas as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, while announcing a national emergency and urging the country’s political and social forces to “activate mobilization plans.”
AP, in separate reporting, describes the government framing the events as an “imperialist attack,” calling on citizens to mobilize, with Maduro implementing national defense plans and declaring what AP renders as a “state of external disturbance.”
US Statements Likely to Come Soon
CBS News is reporting, citing U.S. officials familiar with the matter, that President Trump authorized strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities. CBS emphasizes that this information comes from unnamed officials and has not been delivered via a formal White House, Pentagon, or State Department statement.
Beyond that attributed CBS reporting, there has not yet been an official, on-the-record statement from President Trump, the White House, the Pentagon, or the U.S. State Department confirming or describing U.S. action. Major wire services report that U.S. officials either declined to comment or said only that they were aware of the reports as of this writing.
The outlines of what is happening are clear — the US has attacked Venezuela in Caracas and some other locations. I’ll continue monitoring and update as more information becomes available.
Sources
Reuters — Loud noises heard in Venezuela capital; southern area without electricity
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/loud-noises-heard-venezuela-capital-southern-area-without-electricity-2026-01-03/
Reuters — Venezuela rejects ‘military aggression,’ says attacks hit Caracas and several states
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-rejects-military-aggression-caracas-several-states-2026-01-03/
Associated Press — Explosions rock Caracas as Venezuelan government accuses U.S. of attack
https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-explosions-caracas-us-maduro-2026
Associated Press — Maduro declares emergency, calls for mobilization after reported attacks
https://apnews.com/article/maduro-venezuela-emergency-mobilization-2026
The Guardian — Colombia’s president says Caracas is being bombed, urges UN Security Council meeting
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/03/venezuela-caracas-explosions-colombia-petro-un
CBS News — U.S. officials say Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/venezuela-explosions-us-strikes-trump-cbs-sources/
Al Jazeera — Live updates: Loud explosions reported in Caracas amid rising U.S.–Venezuela tensions
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/1/3/live-loud-noises-heard-in-venezuelas-capital-amid-us-tensions
How can this be happening without congressional authorization? The only country needing regime change is the United States! Who will rid us of this madman president? Looks like we've joined the likes of Russia and now have no moral leg to stand on when China inevitably attacks Taiwan.
As sent to my GOP TFG protege House Representative:
"Now that 'president' Trump has launched a clearly unconstitutional war so as to enrich himself and his friends with Venezuela's oil, are you AT LAST going to wake up and honor your oath, and remove this tyrant from our highest office? Or are you going to remain the cowatd and toady you have been thus far? We your constituents deserve to know!!!"