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Breaking News - CNA

Jan 3, 2026 / 02:50 am (CNA).

Multiple explosions rocked Caracas and several other Venezuelan cities early Saturday, Jan. 3, accompanied by the sound of apparent military aircraft flyovers.

Residents reported shaking windows and columns of smoke rising from strategic locations, including military bases.

"The explosions were so strong they made the windows of my house shake. When we looked outside, numerous plumes of smoke were rising over Caracas," said Andrés Henríquez, a correspondent for ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner.

"There were many, countless. Then, videos and reports began to emerge of explosions in other cities."

Regime calls on citizens to mobilize

In a furious response issued Saturday, the Maduro regime denounced the blasts as "extremely grave military aggression" by the United States, alleging an attempt to seize Venezuela's strategic resources.

Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto announced that President Nicolás Maduro has signed a decree declaring a "State of External Commotion" — a constitutional emergency measure granting the regime sweeping wartime powers to mobilize the military and suspend civil guarantees.

Citing Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, the government vowed to "exercise self-defense" and called on citizens to mobilize against what it termed an "imperialist attack" intended to force regime change.

Shortly after the regime reaction, U.S. officials reportedly confirmed to CBS News that President Donald Trump had ordered the strikes.

The developments follow recent escalations, including the U.S. designation of Maduro as alleged leader of the "Cartel of the Suns" narco-terrorism ring.

Church warns of persecution

The violence validates grim warnings from the Venezuelan Bishops' Conference (CEV). In their recent Christmas message, the bishops cautioned that the "joyful experience" of the season was "overshadowed" by the country's "turbulent national reality" and "generalized impoverishment."

Tensions between the Church and the regime have spiked since the disputed July 2024 elections. The episcopate has repeatedly demanded the release of political prisoners — including minors — while Maduro recently accused Cardinal Baltazar Porras of conspiracy during the October 2025 canonization of Venezuela's first saints.

Analysts told CNA recently that the Church likely faces "more persecution" in 2026 as the regime becomes increasingly isolated.

This is a developing story. Latest update on Jan. 3 at 3:42 am ET with the first official reactions and statements from Venezuela and the U.S.

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