Night view of Caracas taken after a series of explosions heard on January 3, 2026. FEDERICO PARRA / AFP
At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 am local time Saturday, Janurary 3, in the capital, Caracas. Venezuela's government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.
Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas. Another military installation in the capital was without power. People in various neighborhoods rushed to the streets. Some could be seen in the distance from various areas of Caracas.
Venezuela's government, in a statement, said that President Nicolas Maduro had "ordered all national defense plans to be implemented" and declared "a state of external disturbance." That state of emergency gives him the power to suspend people's rights and expand the role of the armed forces. The government called on its supporters to take to the streets. "People to the streets!" the statement said. "The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack."
The Pentagon referred requests for comment to the White House, which didn't immediately return an email seeking comment, the Associated Press said.
