USA Launched a Military Operation in Venezuela; Chinook and Black Hawk Helicopters Spotted Over the Capital

The United States has launched a military operation in Venezuela, and at least ten explosions have been heard in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, while local residents have spotted Chinook and Black Hawk transport helicopters flying overhead.

Video of the explosions and helicopter traffic was posted by VPItv.

In total, about ten explosions were reported in the capital, after which the city declared an air raid alert.

After the explosions, locals spotted about ten helicopters in the sky heading toward Caracas. There is currently no official information from either the Venezuelan government or the US government.

Meanwhile, CBS News senior White House reporter Jennifer Jacobs reported that President Trump had ordered strikes on targets in Venezuela, primarily military targets.

?BREAKING via @CBSNews: President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela including military facilities, U.S. officials said, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. via @JimLaPorta and me

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 3, 2026

At the same time, SA Defensa reported that the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda airbase, where army aviation is based in Caracas, was hit.

It is worth noting that back in November 2025, US President Donald Trump ordered the complete closure of the airspace over and around Venezuela.

About a week before, on November 21, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines of a ‘potentially dangerous situation’ when flying over Venezuela due to “deteriorating security and increased military activity in or around the country” and urged them to be cautious.

In addition, at the end of December 2025, the United States deployed CV-22B Osprey convertiplane and MC-130J Commando II special-purpose aircraft closer to Venezuela.

The deployment of special forces aircraft comes as the Donald Trump administration has increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, ordering the seizure of oil tankers entering and leaving the country’s ports.