At approximately 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, experienced at least seven explosions accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft. Residents from various neighborhoods quickly took to the streets in response to the disturbances, while some reported seeing the aircraft overhead.
In the aftermath, officials from the Trump administration acknowledged awareness of the situation. Although they confirmed reports of explosions and aircraft, a response from the White House was not immediately forthcoming, nor did the Venezuelan government issue an official statement.
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia reacted to the situation on social media, claiming that someone was “bombing Caracas at this moment,” without specifying the identities of those responsible. He called for a meeting of the United Nations, stating, “Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela bombing with missiles.”
The explosions follow a series of U.S. military operations aimed at targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the region. As tensions escalate, the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with thousands of U.S. forces and several naval vessels deployed nearby. The administration has accused Maduro’s regime of collaborating with drug traffickers, a claim the Venezuelan government has consistently denied.
In mid-December, President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” on all sanctioned tankers entering or exiting Venezuela. This move coincided with the seizure of two sanctioned oil tankers last month, further straining relations between the U.S. and Venezuela.
In a recent development, Maduro expressed openness to negotiating an agreement with the U.S. to combat drug trafficking. During a pre-recorded interview aired on Thursday, he claimed that the U.S. seeks to enforce a change in government in Venezuela to gain access to its extensive oil reserves. Trump has not publicly detailed his objectives for the country, but he suggested late last month that it would be “smart” for Maduro to leave power. He added a warning that if Maduro “plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough.”
As of now, further updates on this breaking news story are anticipated. The situation in Caracas continues to unfold amid rising geopolitical tensions and ongoing concerns regarding U.S.-Venezuela relations.
