Venezuela Declares National Emergency After Missile Attacks Rock Caracas

Missiles Hit Strategic Sites Including Fort Tiuna and La Carlota Air Base.

Caracas plunged into shock and uncertainty in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, 2026, after a series of powerful explosions tore through the Venezuelan capital and key coastal states, dramatically escalating tensions between the United States and the Maduro government. The coordinated strikes, confirmed by U.S. officials to have been authorized by President Donald Trump, mark the most direct military action against Venezuela in years and signal a sharp widening of Washington’s controversial “Operation Southern Spear.”

At around 2:00 a.m. local time, residents across Caracas reported at least seven major explosions, some strong enough to shake buildings and trigger widespread power outages and panic. Similar blasts were reported in the nearby states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, suggesting a broad, synchronized operation rather than isolated attacks. Eyewitnesses described the roar of low-flying aircraft and the sound of jets slicing through the night sky, fueling fears of a prolonged military campaign.

According to early reports, the strikes hit high-value strategic targets, including the Fort Tiuna military complex—one of the most important installations of the Venezuelan armed forces and a site frequently associated with President Nicolás Maduro—along with the La Carlota air base and the La Guaira seaport. These locations are critical to Venezuela’s military command, air operations, and maritime logistics, indicating an intent to severely disrupt the country’s defense and supply capabilities.

In response, President Maduro swiftly declared a national emergency and announced a “state of external disturbance,” accusing foreign powers of blatant aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty. Addressing the nation, the government called for the “mobilization of the population” and moved to convene an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, framing the strikes as an act of war and a violation of international law.

The Trump administration has justified the operation as part of its campaign against narcotics trafficking, repeatedly accusing senior Venezuelan officials of running or protecting drug networks. In recent months, Washington has labeled elements of the Venezuelan leadership as “narco-terrorist combatants,” laying the political groundwork for direct military action. President Trump had warned in late December that land-based and targeted strikes would begin “soon,” a statement that now appears to have materialized with dramatic force.

While the White House and the Pentagon have yet to deliver a formal public briefing, U.S. officials confirmed to major American media outlets that the strikes were approved days in advance. Adding to the gravity of the situation, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an urgent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), banning U.S. commercial flights from Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity,” effectively isolating the country from international civilian aviation routes.

International reaction has been swift and alarmed. Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the strikes in a blunt social media post, writing, “At this moment they are bombing Caracas,” and urged the global community to intervene diplomatically to prevent further bloodshed. Across Latin America and beyond, governments and analysts are warning that the attacks could destabilize the entire region, triggering refugee flows, retaliatory actions, and a dangerous cycle of escalation.

As dawn broke over Caracas, uncertainty dominated the streets. With communication disruptions, heightened military presence, and fears of additional strikes, Venezuela now stands at a critical crossroads. The events of January 3 have not only jolted the nation awake but have also raised urgent questions about the future of U.S.–Venezuela relations, regional security in Latin America, and the risk of a broader international confrontation.