Multiple explosions and sustained American military aircraft activity were reported across Caracas in the early hours of 3 January 2026, as imagery and video footage appeared to show explosions and fires burning at several locations across the Venezuelan capital, according to eyewitness material reviewed by the UK Defence Journal.

Residents reported a series of loud detonations beginning around 2:00 a.m., with flashes visible across the city skyline and plumes of smoke rising from multiple areas. Video footage shows explosions in different districts of the city, including what appears to be a significant fire at port infrastructure in the La Guaira area, north of central Caracas.

Several videos also clearly show a tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopter flying at low altitude over the city during the period of reported explosions. The aircraft’s distinctive twin-rotor configuration is consistent with a CH-47 Chinook-type helicopter. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the aircraft’s mission, or role. Footage filmed from elevated residential buildings shows multiple fires burning simultaneously across hillsides and urban areas, suggesting the incidents were not confined to a single site. In at least one location, a large fireball and sustained blaze were visible near what appears to be commercial or port-side facilities.

Local reporting indicated that parts of southern Caracas experienced power outages following the explosions, though the scale and duration of the disruption remain unclear. Emergency vehicle movements were visible in some footage, but there were no confirmed reports of casualties at the time of writing.

Colombia’s president issued a public statement on social media, writing: “Right now they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the whole world, they have attacked Venezuela. They are bombing with missiles.” The claim was accompanied by a call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations. The incidents occurred amid heightened regional and international tensions involving Venezuela and the U.S.

As of publication, the full extent of any damage remain unconfirmed.

George Allison
George Allison
George Allison is the founder and editor of the UK Defence Journal. He holds a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and specialises in naval and cyber security topics. George has appeared on national radio and television to provide commentary on defence and security issues. Twitter: @geoallison
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12 COMMENTS

  2. I don’t think the Maduro regime will last 5 minutes.

    no one will be sad to see them go but I can’t believe it will all be sun shine and roses once they are gone. Venezuela is a deeply flawed country populated by people looking to the government to provide everything for them. I can’t imagine a new democratic government will be able to do much with falling oil prices and wrecked infrastructure unless unclue Sam and Halliburton are going to do an Iraq 2.0

    Just what MAGA signed up for.

  3. Another war of interests, Venezuela has the largest oil reserve, of course the US would attack it . Operation Epstein Distraction in full swing

  10. Good riddance. Maduro has long outlived his welcome in Venezuela and will most likely not be missed by his people
    Hopefully he will get the Mussolini treatment before the start of the next week

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