Caracas, Venezuela —
Multiple powerful explosions shook Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday morning, with at least seven blasts reported around 2:00 a.m. local time. Witnesses described loud detonations strong enough to rattle windows, accompanied by low-flying aircraft and columns of smoke rising from key military sites.
U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News and other outlets that President Donald Trump authorized the strikes, targeting military facilities as part of an escalating campaign against the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. Sources indicate the operation was approved days in advance, marking a significant intensification of U.S. pressure on Venezuela amid accusations of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Key Targets Hit
Reports from eyewitnesses, opposition figures, and media outlets identified several locations impacted:
- Fuerte Tiuna (also known as Fort Tiuna): Venezuela’s largest military complex and headquarters for top brass, where fires were visible after the blasts.
- Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base (La Carlota): A central military airfield in Caracas, with smoke reported rising from hangars and runways.
- Additional sites in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, including ports, antennas, and coastal areas.
Power outages affected southern Caracas and surrounding neighborhoods, with residents fleeing to the streets in panic.
Venezuelan Response
The Venezuelan government swiftly condemned the actions as an “imperialist aggression” by the United States, accusing Washington of targeting civilian and military sites in a bid for regime change and control over the country’s oil resources. President Maduro declared a national state of emergency, mobilizing defense forces and calling on citizens to “activate mobilization plans” against the perceived invasion.
In a statement, the government urged an immediate United Nations Security Council meeting and rallied political forces to defend the nation.
International Reactions
- Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the events as “bombing Caracas with missiles” and called for an emergency UN session.
- The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice prohibiting American flights over Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity.”
The strikes follow months of U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including naval deployments and previous actions against alleged drug-trafficking vessels. No official White House statement has been released yet, and casualty figures remain unconfirmed.
This development represents a major escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Developments are ongoing, with global leaders monitoring the situation closely.
Sources: CBS News, The New York Times, Reuters, AP, BBC, and eyewitness reports.