The government of Venezuela has formally accused the United States of a grave act of military aggression following a series of explosions and sightings of low-flying aircraft over its capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Details of the Early Morning Attack
According to Venezuelan authorities, the incident began at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT). Residents of Caracas reported hearing loud explosions and witnessing clouds of smoke, while military and civilian sites in at least four states were targeted. These areas included the capital district, as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
The Venezuelan statement emphasized that this action by the U.S. constitutes a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter. In response to the attack, President Nicolas Maduro immediately ordered the implementation of all national defense plans and declared "a state of external disturbance." Initial reports from the scene also indicated brief power outages in some areas, including a military base within Caracas.
US Confirmation and International Reaction
Shortly after the strikes began, U.S. officials confirmed the operation. CBS White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs cited sources stating that President Donald Trump had ordered the military action. This confirmation was similarly reported by FOX News, lending official U.S. acknowledgment to the events.
The attack has prompted swift international concern. Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an urgent meeting of both the Organization of American States and the United Nations to address the situation in Venezuela.
Background of Rising Tensions
This dramatic escalation did not occur in a vacuum. Over the preceding months, the United States had maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela's coast. This force included the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and approximately 15,000 troops.
While the U.S. government has previously justified this buildup as part of efforts to combat drug trafficking, the Venezuelan administration under Maduro has consistently denounced it as a thinly veiled attempt to force a regime change in Caracas. Today's strikes have sharply intensified these longstanding geopolitical tensions, moving from a war of words to direct military engagement.
