Around 2 a.m. local time on January 3, 2026, several explosions hit Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Reports said that low-flying planes and fireballs lit up the night sky. There were also explosions in Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states, including near Higuerote Airport and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex. Southern Caracas lost power as a result. Social media videos showed smoke and chaos, confirming at least seven explosions as tensions between the US and Venezuela rose.
President Nicolas Maduro called a national emergency and said that the US was using “military aggression” to take Venezuela’s huge oil and mineral reserves. The government promised to fight back, saying that the US “will not succeed” in controlling these resources. It also got social and political groups involved. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the strikes missile attacks and asked for a meeting of the UN.
President Donald Trump of the United States said that forces carried out a “large scale strike” and took Maduro and his wife, who were “flown out of the country.” US officials confirmed that strikes were carried out on military sites and facilities. This is an escalation from previous sanctions, blockades, and anti-drug operations in the Caribbean. The FAA stopped US flights over Venezuela because of safety concerns.
