Urgent: Explosions were heard in multiple locations across Caracas, including a military airport and main base, causing widespread power outages amid rising US–Venezuela tensions after Trump ordered military operations in the Caribbean.
On 3 January 2025, foreign news agencies reported that residents of Caracas, Venezuela's capital, were alarmed by nearly simultaneous explosions at several points, with smoke rising above the city. Some of these sites were key military areas.
CNN reported that La Carlota Military Airport, located in the city center, and Fuerte Tiuna, the country's main military base, were affected. Videos believed to show explosions at both sites circulated widely on social media.
Meanwhile, many communities around the incident areas experienced widespread power outages. Unconfirmed reports mentioned aircraft circling over Caracas, increasing public alarm. However, no official confirmation of casualties or injuries has been made so far.
These explosions occurred amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela after President Donald Trump's administration launched military operations targeting fast boats in the Caribbean Sea, which the US claimed were drug trafficking vessels. The US also stated that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro came to power illegitimately and was involved with drug trafficking networks through the country.
The Venezuelan government responded by stating that recent US actions, including seizing sanctioned oil tankers, were part of a plan to pressure for the overthrow of President Maduro and to seize control of Venezuela’s oil resources.
Source: BBC / CNN