In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States has launched military operations against Venezuela, with multiple explosions reported in the capital, Caracas, in the early hours of January 3, 2026. The action follows a significant buildup of U.S. forces in the Caribbean and repeated threats from Washington.
Night of Explosions and Military Action
Around 2:00 a.m. local time, residents of Caracas reported loud explosions accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers. Circulating online footage showed fires at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, and burning vehicles at the La Carlota air base. Social media posts, including one from user Emmanuel Rincón, claimed to show U.S. aircraft in Venezuelan airspace.
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the actions, declaring a state of emergency and labeling the events as "extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population." The scope and precise objectives of the U.S. operation remained unclear as reports continued to emerge.
U.S. Military Buildup and Official Silence
This apparent invasion did not occur in a vacuum. For months, a large U.S. naval presence, including guided missile destroyers and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, had assembled in the southern Caribbean. Since September 2025, U.S. forces had conducted attacks on alleged drug-trafficking vessels, escalating in late December with the seizure of oil tankers linked to Venezuela.
U.S. authorities offered no immediate public comment. The Pentagon and U.S. Southern Command referred inquiries to the White House, which did not issue an immediate statement. However, the U.S. State Department acknowledged "reports of explosions in and around Caracas" on its embassy website, urging American citizens to shelter in place and depart the country when safe.
Regional Escalation and Mounting Criticism
Days before the Caracas explosions, President Donald Trump confirmed a CIA land strike against a dock facility in Venezuela. The administration has defended previous strikes as efforts to curb drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, claiming to have targeted at least 35 boats and resulting in over 115 deaths.
However, the latest actions have sparked significant criticism. Lawmakers in Washington from both parties have questioned the operations' legality and the lack of congressional briefings. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii stated, "We have no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war," criticizing the administration's failure to explain its actions to the public. Venezuela's opposition, led by 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, said it had no official comment on the unfolding military situation.
