CARACAS, Venezuela — In a major military escalation that has sent shockwaves through Latin America, President Donald Trump has ordered direct strikes on military installations inside Venezuela. Early Saturday morning, at least seven massive explosions rocked the capital, Caracas, and the strategic city of Maracay, marking the first significant US land-based military action on Venezuelan soil in decades.
US officials confirmed the operation to CBS News, stating the strikes targeted high-value military assets. Plumes of black smoke were seen rising over the capital as low-flying aircraft—widely believed to be US assets—buzzed the city, sparking widespread panic among residents.
Targets and Ground Impact
According to local reports and eyewitness accounts, the strikes hit several key locations within the Gran Caracas metropolitan area and beyond:
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La Carlota Airfield: A central military airfield located in the heart of Caracas.
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Fuerte Tiuna: The country’s primary military headquarters and complex, where several surrounding communities were left without power following the blasts.
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El Libertador Airbase: Located in Maracay (Aragua state), this facility serves as the cornerstone of the Venezuelan Air Force.
Residents described the ground shaking as the explosions began around 2:00 AM local time. “The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old resident who was returning from a New Year’s gathering.
The Maduro Government’s Response
President Nicolás Maduro has declared a national state of emergency and called for “people to the streets” in a televised mobilization effort. The Venezuelan government issued a blistering statement “repudiating and denouncing” what they termed as “imperialist military aggression.”
Miraflores Palace accused Washington of using the strikes as a pretext to seize Venezuela’s vast oil and mineral reserves. This comes just days after Maduro had signaled a willingness to negotiate on drug trafficking and oil investment, an overture the Trump administration appears to have rejected in favor of “kinetic” action.
Regional Context and Geopolitical Fallout
The strikes have immediately polarized the region. Neighboring Colombia, under President Gustavo Petro, condemned the action, calling for an emergency meeting of the United Nations. Petro posted on social media that the world should be “on alert” following the missile strikes. Cuba similarly denounced the “unjustifiable aggression.”
The US has maintained that its actions are part of an “armed conflict” against drug cartels. For months, the US Navy has been conducting a “total blockade” in the Caribbean, reportedly striking over 35 vessels suspected of drug smuggling. Washington continues to view Maduro as an illegitimate leader following the widely dismissed results of the 2024 presidential election.
Aviation and Security Alert
In the immediate aftermath, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has issued a total ban on all US commercial and private aircraft from entering Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity.”
Trump orders strikes on sites inside Venezuela
This video provides live updates and eyewitness footage of the plumes of smoke rising over Caracas following the early morning strikes.
