Explosions reported in Caracas amid claims of foreign military strikes

Explosions, loud sounds and low flying aircraft were reported in Venezuela’s capital Caracas early Saturday, amid unverified claims that military strikes had been carried out against the country.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said on social media that Caracas was under attack and called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Shortly afterwards, CBS News reported that the attacks had been ordered by US President Donald Trump and targeted military facilities. No official confirmation was issued by the White House or the Pentagon.

Local media and the Associated Press reported that at least seven explosions were heard around 2am local time, prompting residents in several neighbourhoods to move outside.

Eyewitnesses reported smoke rising from the La Carlota military airfield in central Caracas and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex. Activity was also reported near Higuerote airport east of the capital. Venezuelan authorities did not immediately comment.

The reported incidents follow months of heightened pressure on Venezuela’s leadership, including sanctions, military deployments in surrounding waters and enforcement actions targeting vessels linked to alleged drug trafficking. The situation remains unclear, with no independent confirmation of the scale or source of the explosions.