Caracas awoke to the sound of explosions on January 3, 2026, as tensions between Venezuela and the United States erupted into open confrontation. In the early hours of the morning, residents of the Venezuelan capital and nearby states Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira reported detonations and the unmistakable roar of aircraft overhead. Videos quickly circulated online, capturing flashes in the sky and the panicked voices of citizens near military installations like Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota. The world watched, holding its breath, as the crisis escalated.
According to CBS News, the source of the chaos was a series of airstrikes ordered by former U.S. President Donald Trump. U.S. officials told the network that Trump had authorized attacks on Venezuelan military targets days earlier, initially planning to strike around Christmas but delaying due to unfavorable weather and competing priorities, such as airstrikes in Nigeria against alleged Islamic State camps. The Pentagon, it was reported, waited for optimal conditions before launching the operation, which had received Trump’s approval in advance.
The fallout was immediate. President Nicolás Maduro, addressing the nation, declared a state of external commotion across Venezuela. In a statement, his government described the events as a "grave military aggression" by the United States, citing attacks on both civilian and military sites in the affected regions. Maduro ordered the deployment of Venezuela’s national defense command, vowing to protect the rights of the population and the integrity of national institutions. "The head of state has signed and ordered the implementation of the decree that declares the state of external commotion, with the aim of protecting the rights of the population, the full functioning of republican institutions, and immediately moving to armed struggle," the government announced.
International reaction was swift and polarized. Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, condemned what he called a "criminal attack" by the U.S., demanding an urgent response from the global community. "#Cuba denounces and demands URGENT reaction by the international community against the criminal attack by the U.S. on #Venezuela. Our #ZoneOfPeace is being brutally assaulted. State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America," Rodríguez posted on social media. "Homeland or death—we shall overcome!"
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, too, voiced grave concern. In a public statement, Petro said, "The Government of the Republic of Colombia observes with profound concern the reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity recorded in recent hours in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as well as the consequent escalation of tension in the region." He went further on social media, warning, "At this moment they are bombing Caracas. Alert to the world—they have attacked Venezuela. Bombing with missiles." Petro called for emergency meetings of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Force took the unusual step of prohibiting all American aircraft from Venezuelan airspace, citing risks from ongoing military activity. The NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) went into effect at 2:00 a.m. local time, lasting 23 hours. The FAA’s statement did not specify which military forces were involved, but the timing left little doubt as to the reason for the restriction.
For Venezuelans, the events of January 3 were the latest escalation in a saga of confrontation with the United States. Just days earlier, on December 31, President Maduro had given his traditional New Year’s interview to journalist Ignacio Ramonet, driving through Caracas with his wife, Cilia Flores, and Vice President Freddy Ñáñez. The mood was tense but defiant. Maduro acknowledged the presence of a powerful U.S. armada stationed off Venezuela’s coast for more than five months and the ongoing barrage of threats from Washington.
Yet, amid the uncertainty, Maduro touted what he called an economic "miracle." According to the president, Venezuela led Latin America and the Caribbean in economic growth for 2024, with an estimated 9% increase, and projected similar or even higher growth for 2025. "This is the second consecutive year that Venezuela leads the real economic growth of Latin America and the Caribbean," Maduro told Ramonet. "We have had twenty consecutive quarters of growth since we took off in 2021." He credited this to a strategy of developing fourteen economic "motors"—from agriculture to manufacturing—designed to reduce dependency on petroleum imports and foster real production. "The development of each motor, in its capacity for real growth and in the articulation of all the motors, began to yield results," he explained.
Maduro described a society that had reinvented itself under pressure. "The Venezuelan family, the man, the woman, the entrepreneur, the businessman, the worker, reinvented themselves. From the simplest businesses—selling coffee, selling arepas... People rebuilt themselves, the countryside was rebuilt and production began," he said. The president emphasized a drive to substitute imports with domestic production, including food, vehicles, clothing, and services. "The best formula is to radically substitute all imports, all of them. To reach zero imports. And produce everything to continue supplying 100% of the national market." He also highlighted efforts to expand non-oil exports—coffee, chocolate, cacao, and organic products from the land and sea.
Despite these claims of economic resilience, the threat of U.S. military action loomed large. Maduro argued that the United States sought to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty and seize its resources, particularly oil and gold. "It is evident they seek to impose themselves through threats, intimidation, and force. This violates the international law of peace established after World War II with the founding of the United Nations," he said. "The current U.S. government must know that in Venezuela, and in Latin America, but I speak for Venezuela, 95% of citizens reject what the current U.S. government is doing when it militarily threatens Venezuela. It is the immunological response of the entire Venezuelan society."
In his interview, Maduro also addressed allegations of drug production, noting that Venezuela’s anti-narcotics efforts had resulted in the destruction of hundreds of foreign aircraft linked to Colombian trafficking. "All the cocaine that moves in this region is produced in Colombia. All of it. We are victims of Colombian drug trafficking," he insisted. He offered to cooperate with the U.S. on anti-narcotics efforts and economic development, saying, "If one day there is rationality and diplomacy, it could perfectly be discussed, and we have the maturity and stature. Besides, we are people of our word."
Throughout the crisis, Maduro maintained a public presence, surrounded by supporters. He insisted he was not hiding but standing with the people. "I have an infallible bunker: Almighty God. I have entrusted Venezuela to our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the king of kings. The king here, of our homeland. I entrust our homeland to him every day," Maduro said. "The people are our greatest shield, our greatest inspiration, our greatest energy."
As the world digests the dramatic turn of events in Venezuela, the stakes remain high. With accusations, airstrikes, and diplomatic condemnation flying in all directions, the crisis is far from over. For now, Venezuelans brace for what may come next, determined to weather the storm with a combination of faith, resilience, and a fierce sense of national pride.
