A series of powerful explosions jolted Venezuela's capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026, leading to a major escalation in the nation's crisis. The incident has prompted President Nicolás Maduro to declare a national emergency, directly accusing the United States of military aggression.
Chaos in the Capital: Blasts, Smoke, and Blackouts
Residents across Caracas reported hearing at least seven distinct explosions starting around 2:00 AM local time. The blasts, which lasted for under thirty minutes, caused widespread panic, with many people rushing into the streets. Witnesses described seeing low-flying aircraft in the skies and reported visible smoke rising from the vicinity of a major military base.
The explosions resulted in electricity outages in several neighbourhoods of the city, plunging sections into darkness. Traffic, however, continued to move in the aftermath. Videos capturing the loud blasts and the ensuing chaos circulated rapidly on social media platforms, amplifying the sense of alarm.
US Military Action and Maduro's Swift Response
International media, citing US sources, reported that the explosions followed heightened American military activity in the Caribbean region. This activity included the deployment of an aircraft carrier and warships. Reports indicated that US President Donald Trump authorised strikes on targets inside Venezuela.
In a swift and decisive response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addressed the nation. He declared a 'state of external disturbance,' a move that grants the government powers to suspend certain rights and expand the role of the armed forces. Maduro ordered the activation of all national defence plans and labelled the events as an "imperialist attack" by the United States.
The Venezuelan government issued a statement calling on its supporters to mobilise nationwide. It urged social and political groups to take to the streets to repudiate what it called targeted strikes on both civilian and military infrastructure.
A Dangerous Escalation in Long-Running Tensions
This incident marks a severe and dangerous spike in the already fraught relations between Washington and Caracas. The explosions come amid a backdrop of recent US operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling routes in the region and growing speculation about potential broader military action against the Maduro government.
The situation remains fluid, with casualties yet to be confirmed. The declaration of a state of emergency and the mobilisation of forces signal that Venezuela is preparing for a prolonged period of heightened alert and potential confrontation. The international community watches closely as this crisis unfolds, marking one of the most direct military confrontations in the Americas in recent decades.
