At least seven explosions, accompanied by the sound of low-flying aircraft, startled residents of Caracas, Venezuela, in the early hours of January 3, 2026. The explosions were reported around 2 a.m. local time, triggering panic as residents flooded into the streets. Witnesses described the ground shaking beneath their feet. “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, as she hurried back home from a birthday party with family. “We felt like the air was hitting us.”
As smoke billowed from a military hangar in the capital, one military installation reportedly lost power. In response to the escalating situation, the Pentagon redirected inquiries to the White House, which has yet to respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity.”
The Venezuelan government quickly called its supporters to action. An official statement encouraged citizens to “take to the streets” in a show of solidarity against what it described as an “imperialist attack.” It further declared that President Nicolás Maduro had implemented national defense plans and announced a “state of external disturbance.” These developments align with recent U.S. military actions targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels operating near Venezuela.
In a striking contrast, Maduro expressed willingness for negotiations with the United States regarding anti-drug efforts, amid ongoing tensions. He alleged that the U.S. aims to destabilize his government to gain access to the nation’s extensive oil reserves, following a months-long military pressure campaign that began last August with a significant U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean.
The U.S. has accused Maduro of narco-terrorism and recently conducted a covert drone strike against a site linked to Venezuelan drug cartels. This operation marked a significant escalation, being the first confirmed direct U.S. military action on Venezuelan soil since strikes began on drug-smuggling boats in September. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly hinted at broader military actions in Venezuela, effectively tightening economic sanctions through blockades on sanctioned oil tankers.
Since the onset of U.S. military operations in the region, the Trump administration has reported carrying out at least 35 strikes against drug vessels, resulting in over 115 casualties. The U.S.’s military buildup near South America peaked with the arrival of an advanced aircraft carrier in November, further enhancing the largest American military presence in the area in decades.
Iranian state media reported on the Caracas explosions, emphasizing the close ties between Iran and Venezuela forged through shared opposition to the U.S. As the situation in Venezuela evolves, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, as the potential for further military engagement looms large.
As tensions rise further, the implications of these incidents on both local and international levels remain to be seen, underscoring a turbulent period in Venezuelan history that continues to be marked by instability and conflict.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/multiple-explosions-and-low-flying-aircraft-in-venezuelas-caracas-january-3-2026/article70466786.ece
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Publish Date: 2026-01-03 12:41:00
