Multiple explosions and the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude were reported overnight in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela, prompting the government of President Nicolás Maduro to denounce what it called a “grave military aggression” by the United States. Residents and journalists described loud blasts shortly after 2:00 a.m. local time, with some areas also reporting power outages.

International outlets including Reuters reported witnesses seeing black smoke and hearing explosions, while The Associated Press and CBS News also described at least seven blasts and low-flying aircraft as people rushed into the streets in several neighborhoods.

What was reported overnight

• Explosions after 2 a.m.: Blasts were first heard shortly after 2:00 a.m., according to multiple eyewitness accounts carried by international media.
• Low-flying aircraft: Residents reported aircraft flying at noticeably low altitude over parts of the capital.
• Smoke near strategic locations: Reports indicated smoke visible near key sites, including areas linked by witnesses to military installations.
• Power disruptions: Several parts of Caracas reportedly lost electricity, including areas in the south of the city, per Reuters and local accounts carried by other outlets.

The full scale of damage — and whether there were casualties — has not been independently confirmed in public reporting at the time of writing. Reuters noted that the cause of the disturbances was not immediately clear, and verification of circulating videos remained limited in early coverage.

Watch the explosion clip

Venezuela’s response: “External disturbance” declared

In a statement carried by BBC News Mundo (Spanish-language service), Venezuela’s government said it “rejects, repudiates, and denounces” what it described as a serious military attack against Venezuelan territory and population. The statement referenced both civilian and military localities and named Caracas as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

According to the same BBC Mundo report, the government said Maduro had signed an order declaring a nationwide “state of external disturbance” (estado de conmoción exterior). The statement also cited Article 51 of the U.N. Charter, asserting Venezuela’s right to self-defense.

Venezuelan officials urged political and social forces in the country to mobilize and condemn what the government called an “imperialist attack,” framing the events as a direct threat to regional stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

What U.S. outlets are reporting

BBC Mundo also cited its U.S. partner outlet CBS, which reported that President Donald Trump ordered strikes in several parts of Venezuela, including military installations. CBS said U.S. officials were aware of the incident as details emerged, while public confirmation from the White House or Pentagon was not immediately reflected in early wire coverage.

In parallel, Reuters described the events against a backdrop of escalating U.S.–Venezuela tensions and heightened security activity in the region. Reuters and AP both emphasized that key details — including the precise cause and full impact — were still developing.

What we still don’t know

• Confirmed cause: Independent verification of what triggered the explosions remains limited in early reporting.
• Extent of damage: Reports mention smoke and outages, but comprehensive assessments were not yet publicly confirmed.
• Injuries or fatalities: No widely confirmed casualty figures were cited in the initial wire updates.

This story is evolving quickly as more official statements and on-the-ground reporting emerge.

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Written by Swikriti