Several explosions were reported across Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, with thick plumes of smoke seen rising over parts of the Venezuelan capital.
“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes in the distance,” Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, told France24 in a trembling voice. “We felt like the air was hitting us.”
Several local reports noted that at least seven explosions were heard around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday (January 3, 2026), accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft. Unconfirmed reports suggest planes were seen flying over the city shortly before and after the blasts.
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The White House has not issued an official statement, but officials in the Donald Trump administration were reportedly aware of the reports, per CBS News.
Reports circulating in Venezuelan media suggest that locations hit may include La Carlota military airfield in central Caracas and the country’s main military base, Fuerte Tiuna. Several surrounding neighbourhoods were left without electricity.
Viral videos showing explosions lighting up the sky and helicopters hovering overhead have spread rapidly on social media.
{News Ei Samay has not independently verified the authenticity of the videos}
Rising tensions between Washington and Caracas
The US has recently conducted a series of strikes on boats in the Caribbean, suspecting they were involved in drug trafficking. Earlier this week, Trump said the US had carried out a strike on a “dock area” linked to alleged Venezuelan drug boats, claiming it caused a “major explosion”.
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Following this, Venezuela’s left-wing president, Nicolas Maduro, has accused the US of attempting to intimidate his government. He has also alleged that recent US seizures of oil tankers claimed by Washington to be transporting sanctioned oil exposed America’s true intention of controlling Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The US, meanwhile, has accused Maduro of direct involvement in drug smuggling and has questioned the legitimacy of his leadership.
