Caracas, Venezuela — Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of carrying out coordinated attacks on civilian and military installations across multiple states after a series of explosions and low-flying aircraft were reported early Saturday in the capital, Caracas.
Residents described being jolted awake around 2 a.m. local time by at least seven loud blasts, accompanied by aircraft flying at low altitude. Smoke was later seen rising from a hangar at a military base near La Carlota airport, while another military facility in the city reportedly lost power following the incident.
Government Declares Emergency Measures
In a statement released hours after the explosions, Venezuelan authorities blamed the United States for what they described as an “imperialist attack” and urged supporters of the government to mobilize nationwide. President Nicolás Maduro ordered the immediate activation of national defense plans and declared what officials called a “state of external disturbance.”
“The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces to take to the streets and reject this aggression,” the statement said.
The U.S. Defense Department declined immediate comment, referring inquiries to the White House, which did not respond publicly. Meanwhile, U.S. aviation authorities temporarily barred American commercial aircraft from Venezuelan airspace, citing ongoing military activity.
Fear and Confusion in the Capital
Witnesses across Caracas reported scenes of panic as residents rushed outdoors to assess the situation. Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, said the explosions shook nearby buildings and sent shockwaves through the streets.
“The ground shook, and it felt like the air itself was hitting us,” she said, describing the fear she felt while returning home with relatives.
Images and videos circulating locally showed plumes of smoke rising above parts of the city, though independent verification of damage and casualties remained limited.
Rising U.S.-Venezuela Tensions
The incident comes amid sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. In recent months, the U.S. military has intensified operations in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, targeting vessels it claims are involved in drug trafficking linked to Venezuelan networks.
Venezuela has accused the U.S. of using anti-narcotics operations as a pretext for broader military pressure and attempts to destabilize Maduro’s government. Earlier this week, Venezuelan officials said they were open to negotiating cooperation with Washington on counter-narcotics efforts, even as military actions continued.
Maduro has repeatedly alleged that the U.S. is seeking regime change and access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Washington has imposed a maritime blockade on sanctioned oil shipments and seized multiple tankers in recent months, tightening economic pressure on the country.
Military Buildup and Regional Fallout
Since September, U.S. forces have carried out dozens of strikes on suspected smuggling boats, with Washington describing the campaign as part of an armed conflict against transnational drug organizations. The operations followed a significant expansion of U.S. naval forces in the region, including the deployment of an advanced aircraft carrier and thousands of additional troops.
The situation has drawn international attention, with Iranian state media broadcasting footage of the explosions in Caracas. Iran and Venezuela have strengthened ties in recent years, united by opposition to U.S. sanctions and foreign policy.
As both sides trade accusations and rhetoric intensifies, analysts warn that the latest incident risks pushing the long-running standoff between Washington and Caracas into a far more dangerous phase.
