Gunfire Erupts Again Near Venezuela’s Presidential Palace

Late on Monday night, residents of Caracas reported hearing gunfire in the vicinity of Venezuela’s Miraflores Presidential Palace. Multiple eyewitnesses confirmed the incident, which occurred just hours after interim President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in following the extraordinary removal of President Nicolás Maduro.

According to sources closely associated with the government, although Maduro and his wife were reportedly taken by U.S. forces in a military operation last Friday (2 January), the situation in Venezuela remains largely under control.

Following Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez was appointed as interim president. The source revealed that on Monday evening, around 8:00 PM local time (12:00 AM GMT), an unidentified drone was seen flying over the central Caracas area, directly above the presidential palace. Security forces responded by opening fire.

A resident living five blocks from the palace described the scene: “We heard continuous gunfire, though it was not as intense as the U.S. operation in the early hours of Saturday. The firing lasted almost a minute. At first, I looked up to see if there was an aircraft, but there wasn’t. All I could see were two red lights in the sky. People were at their windows trying to figure out what was happening.” The resident requested anonymity.

Attempts by AFP to obtain an official statement from Venezuela’s Ministry of Communications were unsuccessful, with no immediate response to inquiries.

Footage circulating on social media shows what appears to be tracer-like rounds fired into the air. The video also captures numerous security personnel rushing toward the palace following the gunfire.

The incident underscores the heightened tensions in the capital following the unprecedented removal of Maduro and the swift installation of Rodríguez as interim leader. Citizens remain on high alert, while security forces continue to patrol the area heavily.