Strong explosions and noises resembling aircraft flyovers were heard today at around 02:00 local time, (08:00 Cyprus time) in Caracas, an Agence France-Presse journalist reported. Eyewitnesses told Reuters that loud bangs were being heard in the Venezuelan capital and that power had been cut in a southern area near a large military base, while a column of smoke was visible.
The sound of explosions continued to be heard at around 02:15 (08:15 Cyprus time).
Videos circulating on social media show military helicopters flying over Caracas, although there has so far been no official information from either the American or the Venezuelan side.
US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a flotilla of warships in the Caribbean, has referred to the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela and has stated that the days of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro are “numbered”.
🔴 #URGENTE | Explosiones en el sur de Caracas, Venezuela.
— arocha (@pueblopatriota) January 3, 2026
Reporteros locales afirma que un objetivo militar habría sido atacado.https://t.co/FS3SdvDrWB pic.twitter.com/HNBklNbWZR
Trump administration
Officials in the Trump administration are aware of reports of explosions and aircraft flyovers early this morning in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, CBS journalist Jennifer Jacobs wrote on X.
The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests from Reuters for comment.
BBC reported that officials told its US partners that Trump ordered the military strikes.