Breaking: Explosions Rattle Caracas — U.S. Officials Say Trump Ordered Strikes

UPDATE: U.S. officials told CBS News that President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela early Saturday morning. Reports remain unconfirmed and this is a developing story.

At least seven explosions were heard and witnesses reported low-flying aircraft over Venezuela's capital, Caracas, at about 2 a.m. local time on Saturday. Residents in multiple neighborhoods rushed into the streets; several said blasts and flashes could be seen from different parts of the city.

Officials in the Trump administration told CBS News they were aware of reports of explosions and aircraft activity. There was no immediate response to requests for comment from the White House, and Venezuela's government had not issued an immediate public reaction.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro wrote on social media: "Bombing Caracas in this moment," and called for the United Nations to convene. He urged the international community to take notice of the attacks.

Context

The reported strikes come amid months of heightened U.S. military activity in the region aimed at disrupting alleged drug-smuggling operations. The Trump administration has increased pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, deploying thousands of U.S. personnel and several naval vessels to the area and publicly suggesting the possibility of broader military options.

Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday. / Credit: Matias Delacroix / AP

The U.S. has accused the Maduro government of collaborating with drug traffickers — an allegation Caracas denies. Washington also recently seized two sanctioned oil tankers and, in mid-December, announced a "total and complete blockade" on sanctioned tankers entering or exiting Venezuela.

On Friday, Venezuelan officials said they were open to negotiating an agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking. In a pre-taped interview aired Thursday, President Maduro accused the U.S. of seeking to force a change of government and gain access to Venezuela's oil reserves.

President Trump has not specified a detailed objective for potential action in Venezuela but has said it would be "smart" for Maduro to step down and warned that if Maduro "plays tough, it'll be the last time he'll ever be able to play tough."

Note: Accounts of explosions and U.S. strikes are still being verified. We will update this story as more confirmed information becomes available.