CARACAS/WASHINGTON – Venezuela has accused the United States of an “extremely serious military aggression” following a series of powerful explosions that rocked the capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday. The strikes mark a dramatic escalation in a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration against the government of leftist President Nicolás Maduro.
Explosions and Panic in the Capital
According to an AFP journalist, loud blasts accompanied by the sound of aircraft were heard across Caracas starting around 2:00 a.m. local time. Explosions were also reported in La Guaira to the north, the location of the city’s main airport and port.
“Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people,” the Maduro government stated.
Confusion and fear gripped residents as the strikes began. “From here, we can hear explosions near Fort Tiuna… Right now, you can hear something that sounds like a machine gun. There are a lot of detonations and gunfire,” said Emmanuel Parabavis, a 29-year-old public relations employee. Others reported power outages and began preparing emergency bags with essential documents and supplies.
Regional and International Reaction
The attack has triggered immediate regional condemnation. The president of neighboring Colombia, Gustavo Petro, called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations. “Alerting the whole world that they have attacked Venezuela,” Petro wrote on social media platform X.
The White House and Pentagon have not yet commented on the reports. The alleged strikes follow months of escalating U.S. military and economic pressure, which has included the deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Caribbean, the closure of Venezuelan airspace, new sanctions, the seizure of oil tankers, and a series of strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug smuggling that have killed over 100 people since September.
A Long-Running Confrontation
President Donald Trump had repeatedly threatened military action against Venezuela, framing it as part of an anti-drug smuggling campaign. The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel—a charge he vehemently denies, arguing the U.S. seeks to overthrow him because of Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Maduro had stated as recently as Thursday that he was open to cooperation with Washington, but the overnight strikes represent a severe rupture in any potential dialogue.
