Ekaterina Girnyk09:08, 03.01.26

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro signed a decree declaring a state of emergency.

Explosions were heard in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and air defenses were deployed over the city. According to Reuters , at least one plume of smoke was visible over the city, and the southern part of the city, located near a major military base, was left without power.

Updated 9:38 a.m.  US President Donald Trump ordered strikes on targets inside Venezuela, including military installations, CBS News journalist Jennifer Jacobs writes, citing statements from US officials. 

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro signed a decree declaring a state of emergency in response to the attack on the country. The government stated that “the goal of the US attack is to seize Venezuelan oil and mineral resources.”

Updated 9:30 AM : Venezuelan armored vehicles have appeared on the streets and are converging on the presidential palace.

CBS News reports that Trump administration officials said they were “aware” of reports of explosions in Venezuela and helicopters over Caracas.

The New York Times reports that a US military spokeswoman in Washington confirmed the reports of the explosions but declined to comment on America’s possible role in them.

Meanwhile, footage of strikes on Caracas, likely by Tomahawk missiles, is circulating online.

Sky News Arabia claims that the residence of the Venezuelan Defense Minister and a port in the country’s capital were attacked.

The US is preliminarily launching strikes on the port of Caracas and Margarita Island in the Caribbean Sea, where a large number of military facilities are located.

Clash Report reports that the strikes hit the southern part of the city, the Fort Tiuna neighborhood and the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base. The La Guaira Naval Base in Vargas State in the north of the country, home to the Naval Academy, was also hit.

Explosions in Caracas

Videos are also circulating online showing American assault helicopters. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Air Force scrambled Su-30MKV fighter jets to intercept the American aircraft and helicopters.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has already responded to the attack. 

“Right now they are bombing Caracas. Attention to the world: they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles. The OAS and the UN must meet immediately,” he said.

The US did not officially comment on the start of the operation.

(C)UNIAN 2025