Heavy Gunfire Near Venezuela's Presidential Palace In Caracas; Drones, Aircraft Sounds Heard

Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 07:04 IST

Heavy gunfire was reported near Venezuela’s presidential palace in Caracas after security forces opened fire in response to unidentified drones flying over the complex.

Firing in Caracas, presidential palace in Venezuela (Video screengrabs/Social Media)

Heavy gunfire and reports of possible drone activity near Venezuela’s presidential palace triggered fresh security concerns in Caracas early on Tuesday, as the country remains on edge following the US-led operation that resulted in the capture and removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

According to witnesses cited by AFP, shots were fired near the Miraflores presidential palace in central Caracas around 8.00 pm local time (0000 GMT).

A source close to the government told AFP that unidentified drones were seen flying over the palace complex, prompting security forces to open fire in response.

The source said the situation was later brought under control, though no immediate details were provided on damage or casualties.

BNO News, meanwhile, reported that heavy gunfire was heard across parts of Caracas over a period of roughly 45 minutes, including areas close to the presidential palace.

It added that residents also reported possible drone or aircraft noises during the incident and that some neighbourhoods experienced power outages.

There was no immediate word from authorities explaining the cause of the gunfire or the reported aerial activity.

The development comes amid heightened political and security tensions in the Venezuelan capital, soon after Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim President following the capture of Maduro.

Rodriguez, a key ally of Maduro, assumed office after Maduro was captured by US military forces during a weekend raid and transferred to the United States.

Earlier on Monday, the Venezuelan government published a decree declaring a State of External Commotion, granting sweeping powers to the presidency and directing security forces to take action against individuals accused of supporting the US operation, CNN reported.

The decree instructs national, state and municipal police agencies to “immediately undertake the search and capture throughout the national territory of any person involved in the promotion or support" of what it describes as an armed attack by the United States against Venezuela.

According to CNN, the decree was dated Saturday and signed by Maduro on the same day he was captured by US forces.

It was later endorsed by interim president Rodriguez. While the decree had originally been drafted and announced in late September, weeks after the US began deploying naval assets in the Caribbean, its contents were not made public at the time and were subsequently updated to reflect developments over the weekend, CNN reported.

The measure carries the force of law for an initial period of 90 days, with the option of a further 90-day extension.

Under Venezuela’s Constitution, a declaration of this kind allows the President to exercise near-total authority over political, economic and social matters in cases of conflict that seriously endanger national security, citizens or state institutions.

This is the first time such a provision has been invoked since the current Constitution came into force in 1999.

Meanwhile, Maduro pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges during his appearance before a New York City federal court on Monday.

In a related development, Switzerland announced the immediate freezing of any Swiss-based assets linked to the leader, saying that if the assets are found to be of illicit origin, efforts will be made to ensure they benefit the Venezuelan population.

ALSO READ | At UNSC, US Calls Maduro ‘Narco-Terrorist’ As Venezuela Accuses Washington Of Kidnapping Him

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