Residents in Caracas, Venezuela, reported multiple explosions targeting military sites including Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base, La Carlota Air Base, and Fort Tiuna between 6:15:50 a.m. and 6:45:22 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026, coinciding with sightings of U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopters overhead, according to X posts by @sentdefender, @SA_Defensa, and @clashreport shared in the 29-minute window. Air raid sirens sounded across Caracas as thick smoke plumes rose from the sites, with videos showing bright flashes and fires, per X posts by @hubofintel, @BigBreakingWire, and @SA_Defensa. Witnesses described at least three explosions at Francisco de Miranda Air Base, home to Army Aviation, and noted the airspace was clear of commercial aircraft, as stated by @SA_Defensa. Additional reports indicated activity at Maracay air base, where planes were moved and military personnel mobilized, according to an X post by @samuell_tibu citing @elpanatibu. Explosions were also reported on Isla Margarita near La Guardia, expanding beyond Caracas, per @SA_Defensa. These developments follow an unidentified fighter plane passing over Caracas at 5:57 a.m. UTC earlier on January 3, as reported in prior social media posts, amid U.S. military aircraft activity off Florida coasts.
