Hours after Venezuela was rocked by loud explosions, US President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, confirmed that Washington carried out large scale strike against the south American nation and that its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, “captured and flown out of the country”. “This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Venezuelan government.
The attack has come after months of US military build-up in the region, with the deployment of aircraft and warships. Washington has accused Maduro of running a “narco-state”, and of working with gangs designated as terrorist organisations. Maduro has denied these allegations. The Venezuelan leader, who succeeded Hugo Chavez to take power in 2013, has said Washington wants to take control of its oil reserves, the largest in the world.
Seven loud explosions were heard across Caracas air sirens and low-flying aircraft across Venezuela’s capital Saturday morning, prompting the country to declare national emergency. Several neighborhoods reported panic on the streets and power outages following the blasts.
Shortly after multiple loud explosions rocked its capital, President Nicolas Maduro in a statement confirmed that the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira were also attacked, prompting the south American nation to declare a national emergency and call on social and political forces to “activate mobilization plans.”
The Venezuelan government has accused Washington of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.
The blasts were reported around 2.00 am local time (0600 GMT), with the first explosion being heard shortly before 1.50 am.
“One was so strong, my window was shaking after it,” CNN correspondent Osmary Hernández said.
BREAKING 🚨 Explosions in Caracas, capital of Venezuela. Reports of US Army CH-47 ‘Chinook’ helicopters flying over. Total electricity blackout. pic.twitter.com/p4amRSvico
— Toria Brooke (@realtoriabrooke) January 3, 2026
US embassy issues travel advisory
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions between the Maduro regime and the Trump administration. US President Donald Trump had recently hinted at the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. In recent days, the US military has also been targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the region.
The US Embassy in Bogotá has requested US citizens not to travel to Venezuela. In its travel advisory, the embassy directed Americans currently in Venezuela should shelter in place and leave the country as soon as it is safe to do so.
The US has placed Venezuela under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, the highest warning level, citing severe risks including wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor health infrastructure.
The US Department of State withdrew all diplomatic links with Caracas in March 2019s. As a result, all consular services, including emergency assistance, remain unavailable between the two countries.
Maduro signals openness to talks with US
Earlier, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had signaled willingness to negotiate with the United States on issues including drug trafficking, oil and migration. Speaking in a pre-recorded interview on Venezuelan state television on Thursday, Maduro said he was ready for dialogue with Washington “wherever they want and whenever they want.”
However, the Venezuelan leader had accused Washington of using pressure campaign to change leadership in government and gain access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.