Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas

Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas as the geopolitical landscape of South America shifted dramatically in the early hours of Saturday, 3 January 2026.⁵ At approximately 2:00 a.m. local time, at least seven massive explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital, plunging several neighborhoods into darkness and sending panicked residents into the streets.⁶ President Nicolás Maduro has officially characterized the event as a “severe military aggression” ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the most significant military escalation in the region in decades.

Caracas Explosions January 2026: A City Under Siege

The Caracas explosions January 2026 targeted both military and civilian infrastructure across four key states: Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, and the Capital District.⁸ Eyewitnesses reported seeing low-flying aircraft and hearing the unmistakable roar of jet engines moments before the impact.⁹ Smoke was seen rising from the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base (La Carlota) and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex, the largest in the country.

Residents described a “horrible” experience as the ground shook and the southern part of the city lost all power.¹¹ “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker who fled her building near the Miraflores presidential palace.¹² The FAA has since issued a “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM), banning all U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity.”

Nicolas Maduro State of Emergency: A Nation Mobilizes

In response to the assault, a Nicolas Maduro state of emergency has been declared nationwide.¹⁴ Specifically, the President announced a “state of external disturbance,” a constitutional measure that grants the executive expanded powers to suspend certain civil rights and mobilize the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).

The Government’s Response:

• Mobilization Call: Maduro urged all social and political forces to “activate mobilization plans” and take to the streets to repudiate the “imperialist attack.”

• Seizure Accusations: The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming the Trump Venezuela attack was not about drug trafficking—as Washington claims—but a blatant attempt to “seize control of Venezuela’s strategic resources, in particular its oil and minerals.”

• Defense Strategy: All national defense plans have been implemented, with soldiers taking up positions around key government buildings and military installations.

Trump Venezuela Attack: The “Operation Southern Spear” Context

The Trump Venezuela attack follows a five-month pressure campaign that analysts have compared to a “total blockade.”¹⁹ Since August 2025, Donald Trump has ordered a massive military buildup off Venezuela’s northern coast under “Operation Southern Spear.”²⁰ This hybrid operation utilized a fleet of autonomous weapons and robotics to intercept what the U.S. labels as “narco-boats.”

While the White House and Pentagon have referred queries to one another, CBS News and other U.S. outlets report that the strikes were personally authorized by Trump to target military facilities allegedly involved in drug-smuggling networks.²² This marks a significant shift from maritime interceptions to direct land strikes on Venezuelan soil.

Gustavo Petro UN Meeting: Regional Chaos Feared

The international community has reacted with shock. Colombian President Gustavo Petro was among the first to sound the alarm, taking to social media to report that “Caracas is being bombarded by missiles.”²³ His calls for a Gustavo Petro UN meeting reflect a growing fear that Latin America is being plunged into a wider regional conflict.

Petro has called for an immediate emergency session of the UN Security Council and the Organization of American States (OAS).²⁵ “All eyes on Venezuela—it’s under attack,” Petro wrote, warning that U.S. interference in an “internal matter” would destabilize the entire region and destroy American interests in the long run.

Conflict Comparison: 2025 vs. 2026

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Conclusion

The report that Venezuela accuses US after explosions and low-flying aircraft reported in Caracas is a turning point for 2026. With the Venezuela US military strikes hitting the heart of the nation, the risk of a full-scale war in South America has reached its highest point in history. Whether this leads to the toppling of the Maduro regime or a prolonged regional quagmire remains to be seen.

Mainstream News Reports & Live Coverage

• The Guardian: Venezuela accuses US of attacking Caracas as explosions rock capital
• Al Jazeera: Live: Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, Caracas blames the US

• CBS News: U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela as Trump escalates pressure

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