Reports of gunfire and heavy clashes emerged from central Caracas after shots were heard near Venezuela’s Miraflores presidential palace, heightening fears of instability in the oil-rich South American nation following the dramatic US-led capture of deposed president Nicolas Maduro. While security forces said the situation had been brought under control, the incidents underscored the tense and fluid atmosphere gripping the capital.
The United States distanced itself from the developments, with a White House official telling CNN that Washington was not involved in any confrontation and was closely tracking the situation. CNN cited preliminary information suggesting the gunfire may have resulted from a “misunderstanding” between different security units operating near the palace, though no official confirmation has been provided so far.
The developments came only hours after Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in on Monday as Venezuela’s interim president. The swearing-in coincided with Maduro’s first appearance before a federal court in New York, where he faced drug-related charges following the weekend US operation that led to his capture.
According to the AFP news agency, unidentified drones were seen flying over the Miraflores Palace on Monday evening, prompting security personnel to open fire as a precautionary response. Authorities later said the situation was under control, but it remains unclear whether the drone sightings and gunfire were directly linked to the broader political upheaval unfolding in the country.
The turmoil follows an extraordinary raid carried out late Saturday night, during which US forces extracted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence inside a military base in Caracas. Officials loyal to the deposed leader denounced the operation as an “imperialist” act. The couple now faces US charges related to an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The high-risk seizure, which sent shockwaves across the world, capped months of covert planning and escalating pressure by the Trump administration on the 63-year-old leader. Analysts have described it as the most forceful American intervention aimed at regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
During his first court appearance after being flown to the United States, Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to all charges. Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro insisted on his innocence and reiterated his claim to the presidency, declaring himself a legitimate and decent leader. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for March 17.
Outside the courthouse in New York, dozens of demonstrators gathered, with both supporters and opponents of Maduro staging protests amid tight security. The scenes reflected the deep divisions surrounding his removal from power.
Back in Caracas, Delcy Rodriguez formally assumed the role of interim president later the same day. While she voiced support for Maduro, her remarks offered no clear indication that she would directly challenge the US action. Meanwhile, her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who was reappointed president of the largely pro-Maduro National Assembly, pledged to pursue every available political and legal avenue to secure Maduro’s return.
