Venezuela sees armed clashes, heavy gunfire near Caracas presidential palace after Maduro’s capture: Report

Multiple shots were fired near the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, late Monday (local time), according to several reports. Purported videos emerged on social media, showing heavy gunfire near the Venezuelan presidential palace. A source close to the government told AFP that the situation was under control.

According to sources, unidentified drones flew over the Miraflores Palace in central Caracas while security forces opened fire in response at around 8:00 pm (0000 GMT).

The development came hours after Delcy Rodriguez, Nicolás Maduro's deputy, was sworn in as interim president on Monday following his removal.

A social media post claimed, “Downtown Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, is engulfed in ongoing armed clashes, with multiple forces exchanging heavy gunfire.”

“The streets of Caracas are swarming with defence forces on alert, along with various armed groups and drones in the airspace of the Venezuelan capital,” the X account added.

Videos emerge

Several unverified reports claimed that drones were spotted in Venezuelan airspace. Another report suggested that “anti-aircraft used to shoot down drones near the presidential palace.”

Many other videos posted on social media showed what appeared to be tracer bullets fired into the sky.

The videos showed many security force members rushing to the palace after the shots were fired. Earlier, RT News had reported that Venezuelan armed gunmen were seen patrolling streets close to the presidential palace as gunfire was reported.

“The situation is under control,” witnesses and sources close to the presidency told AFP. The Communications Ministry did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment.

Bursts of gunfire rang out, but not as strong as in the pre-dawn attack Saturday that toppled Maduro, a person who lives five blocks from the palace, told AFP.

"The first thing that came to mind was to see if there were planes flying ovehead but there were not. I just saw two red lights in the sky," the resident near the palace said on condition of anonymity.

“Everyone was looking out their windows to see if there was a plane, to see what was happening,” the resident said.

Military remains loyal after Maduro ouster

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US and flown out of the country on Saturday after “large-scale” attacks.

Several Venezuelan former soldiers and police officers – branded as traitors by their government – told AFP that many of the same people still control Venezuela, despite a dramatic change at the top.

Much power appears to remain in the hands of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino – both wanted by US authorities.

The military, and even Maduro's own son, pledged loyalty to the new interim leader, Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president and close confidant.