The United States has carried out military strikes inside Venezuela, a U.S. official confirmed to Reuters early Saturday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity and did not provide further operational details. This confirmation came after multiple explosions were reported across Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and the Venezuelan government.
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The White House did not formally declare war. However, the confirmation of direct U.S. strikes inside Venezuela is widely seen as the clearest sign that the United States is now engaged in open military action. By confirming the strikes, U.S. officials have signaled that the confrontation has moved beyond threats and sanctions. The situation has shifted into active warfare, even though it has not been officially labeled as a war.
The strikes follow months of strong warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro’s government of corruption, election manipulation, and involvement in international drug trafficking. The latest developments indicate that Washington has shifted from pressure tactics to direct military force.
Explosions Rock Caracas and Multiple Venezuelan Regions
Explosions began shaking Caracas at around 2 a.m. local time and continued for roughly 90 minutes, according to witnesses cited by Reuters. Residents reported hearing loud blasts, seeing military aircraft overhead, and watching thick black smoke rise into the night sky. Bright orange flashes were visible from several parts of the city, creating widespread panic.
Videos recorded by civilians quickly spread on social media, showing fear and confusion among residents. In one clip, a woman could be heard gasping in shock as explosions echoed in the distance. Many people said they were woken from sleep with no warning and had no immediate information about what was happening.
The Venezuelan government later confirmed that the attacks were not limited to the capital. Officials said strikes also occurred in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. These regions are strategically significant and include military installations, transportation hubs, and key infrastructure.
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Witnesses also reported a power outage in southern parts of Caracas, including areas near a major military base. As a result, the blackout added to the chaos, leaving entire neighborhoods without electricity while explosions continued overhead.
In response to the unfolding events, President Nicolás Maduro declared a national emergency and ordered the immediate mobilization of Venezuela’s defense forces. At the same time, government officials accused the United States of launching a coordinated military assault aimed at destabilizing the country. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government said the attacks were designed to allow the United States to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources, a claim that Washington has repeatedly denied.
US Military Buildup, Trump’s Strategy, and War Confirmation
The strikes follow a major U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of an aircraft carrier, warships, and advanced fighter jets near Venezuela. U.S. officials have said the moves were aimed at countering drug trafficking and protecting regional security.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Venezuela of sending illegal drugs into the United States. His administration has carried out more than two dozen strikes on vessels it says were involved in trafficking in the Pacific and Caribbean, actions that have drawn international criticism and have been denied by the Venezuelan government.
Last week, Trump said U.S. forces struck an area inside Venezuela where boats are allegedly loaded with drugs. This marked the first public acknowledgment of U.S. land operations in the country. He did not clarify whether the strikes were conducted by the military or intelligence agencies, although some media outlets have reported possible CIA involvement.
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By confirming that U.S. forces are carrying out strikes inside Venezuela, American officials have openly acknowledged active combat operations. While there has been no formal declaration of war, the confirmation signals that the confrontation has moved into a warlike phase, removing ambiguity about the military nature of the conflict.
The Pentagon referred questions to the White House, which declined to comment. No details have been released about casualties, targets, or future operations.
Trump has also tightened sanctions and called for a “blockade” of Venezuelan oil exports, deepening the country’s economic crisis. As dawn broke over Caracas, residents remained fearful and uncertain as authorities assessed damage and disruptions.