Explosions Rock Caracas as U.S. Military Strikes Inside Venezuela’s Capital [WATCH]

Reports from Venezuela indicated that at least seven explosions were heard in the capital city of Caracas during the early morning hours.

According to The Associated Press, low-flying aircraft were seen over Caracas at approximately 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, coinciding with the reported explosions.

Full-scale military operations appear to be underway against Venezuela, with dozens of helicopters with the U.S. Army spotted over the capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/kIqfbGjOK4

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026

U.S. officials did not immediately release details about the targets of the strikes, the duration of the operation, or the specific military assets involved.

The confirmation marked a significant escalation in U.S. military activity involving Venezuelan territory.

🚨#BREAKING: Reuters reports that U.S. ground forces and United States Air Force assets are currently on the ground and active in and around Caracas, Venezuela. Multiple explosions have been reported and observed across the capital as operations continue. pic.twitter.com/96mTpvxmQX

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 3, 2026

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In a related move, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Air Missions at 1 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Saturday.

The notice prohibited all U.S. aircraft from operating “at all altitudes within Venezuelan airspace.”

New Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for over Venezuela, prohibiting all flights over the entirety of the country beginning at 6:00am, January 3, 2026. https://t.co/NvPFEADBsW

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026

The restriction applied broadly and did not specify an expiration time, indicating heightened concern about safety conditions in and around Venezuelan airspace following the reported military activity.

The reported strikes came as the U.S. military has been conducting operations targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats operating in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific.

U.S. authorities have previously stated that those efforts are focused on disrupting trafficking routes and networks that move narcotics toward the United States and other destinations.

The developments followed recent public comments from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

On Thursday, Maduro said his government was open to negotiating an agreement with the United States after months of what he described as American military pressure targeting drug trafficking networks tied to his government.

Maduro’s statement came amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, particularly surrounding allegations that elements within the Venezuelan government are linked to international drug trafficking operations.

U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Venezuelan leadership of facilitating or benefiting from those networks, accusations the Venezuelan government has denied.

The reported strikes and the FAA’s airspace prohibition suggested a rapidly evolving security situation early Saturday.

The Notice to Air Missions effectively grounded U.S. civilian aviation operations over Venezuela, a step typically taken when military activity or other risks pose a threat to flight safety.