VIDEO Strong explosions and columns of smoke in the capital of Venezuela, Caracas. Parts of the city remained without electricity
Explosions and low-flying planes were heard in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday. Credit line: Matias Delacroix / AP / Profimedia
Planes, loud noises and a plume of smoke were heard and seen in the Venezuelan capital Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning, Reuters and CNN reported, citing witnesses at the scene. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that the US is preparing to take further action against alleged drug trafficking rings in Venezuela and that ground strikes will begin “soon”.
The first explosion was reported around 1:50 am local time.
“One was so strong, my window shook after it,” CNN correspondent Osmary Hernandez reported.
The southern area of the city, located near an important military base, remained without electricity.
🇻🇪🇺🇸‼️ — SIGUEN LOS BOMBARDEOS EN CARACAS.
HA LLEGADO EL DÍA DE LA LIBERACIÓN DE VENEZUELA.pic.twitter.com/G5sbsqAUDK
— Agustín Antonetti (@agusantonetti) January 3, 2026
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised ground operations in Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure President Nicolas Maduro from office.
The United States deployed a war flotilla to the Caribbean and tightened oil sanctions against Venezuela. Since September, the US has launched attacks on what it believes are drug-smuggling boats, targeting more than 20 vessels in the Pacific and Caribbean and killing at least 100 people.
In October, Trump said he had authorized the CIA to operate in Venezuela to combat illegal flows of migrants and drugs from the South American country.
Recently, on December 29, Donald Trump asserted that the United States had struck and destroyed a port area used by ships accused of participating in drug trafficking in Venezuela.
BOLUDO SE PUDRIO EN VENEZUELA
EXPLOSIONES IN CARACAS pic.twitter.com/W8roMTJNFv
— ElBuni (@therealbuni) January 3, 2026
