January 3, 2026 | Caracas, Venezuela — Dalena Reporters
Early Saturday morning, the Venezuelan capital of Caracas was rocked by multiple powerful explosions, plunging portions of the city into darkness as residents reported blasts and low-flying aircraft in the early hours of January 3, 2026. Reporting teams from CNN on the ground confirmed that at least several detonations were heard and observed near key areas of the city just before 2 a.m. local time, triggering widespread alarm and power outages in affected neighbourhoods.
Journalists on site described explosions that were strong enough to shake windows, accompanied by the sound of aircraft overhead. Smoke was seen rising over Caracas, with some plumes illuminated against the night sky. Witness accounts and video verified by CNN showed significant flashes and subsequent booming noises, with locals evacuating buildings amid confusion and fear.
Explosions were also reported beyond Caracas, including in La Guaira state north of the capital and in Higuerote, a coastal city in Miranda state, suggesting that the disturbance was not confined to a single zone.
The exact cause of the blasts remained unclear during the initial reporting window, and Venezuelan authorities had yet to provide a consolidated official narrative early Saturday. However, the Venezuelan government denounced the explosions as an act of “military aggression,” asserting that both civilian and military locations across Caracas and other states had been struck.
The incidents occur amid intensifying U.S.–Venezuela tensions, which have seen a buildup of U.S. military assets in the Caribbean in recent months. International outlets, including Reuters and other live updates, cited statements from international officials indicating that U.S. forces may have carried out strikes against facilities inside Venezuela — a claim underscored by unverified presidential statements circulating on social platforms and reports from global news partners.
World reactions came swiftly as leaders and diplomatic representatives called for restraint and clarification. European diplomats emphasised the primacy of international law and the United Nations Charter in resolving conflicts, underscoring widespread concerns about the potential implications of foreign military engagement on Venezuelan soil.
As Caracas reeled from the overnight detonations, Venezuelans shared images and video online showing plumes of smoke, frantic crowds, and the illuminated sky, while local authorities and international observers scrambled to piece together reliable, verified information in a rapidly evolving crisis.
This developing situation represents a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions, raising urgent questions about regional stability, civilian safety, and the international community’s response to confrontations between sovereign states and foreign military involvement.