Gunfire Reported Near Caracas Presidential Palace Amid Drone and Aircraft Sounds

Heavy gunfire and reports of drones near the Miraflores presidential complex sparked fresh alarm in Caracas, as the country grappled with the aftermath of the US-led operation that resulted in the capture and transfer of President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.

Witnesses told AFP that shots rang out near the Miraflores palace around 8:00 pm local time, while residents across several parts of Caracas described intense firing and unusual aircraft sounds over the city lasting roughly 45 minutes.

A source close to the government said security forces had opened fire after unidentified drones were spotted flying over the presidential complex. While the situation was later contained, officials did not provide details about casualties, structural damage, or the number of drones involved. BNO News reported that heavy gunfire echoed across multiple neighbourhoods near the palace, with residents also noting brief power cuts during the incident, though authorities offered no immediate explanation.

The gunfire came just days after Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim President, following the US military operation that captured Maduro. He was later flown to New York City, where he appeared before a federal court and pleaded not guilty to several charges. Shortly before the gunfire, the Venezuelan government issued a decree declaring a State of External Commotion, granting wide powers to the presidency and authorising security forces to act against individuals accused of supporting the US operation. The decree allowed national, state, and municipal police agencies to take action against anyone deemed involved in what the government described as an armed attack by the United States.

The decree, which carries the force of law for an initial 90 days with a possible extension, gives the President near-total control over political, economic, and social matters during crises that threaten national security or state institutions. Originally drafted in late September as US naval units deployed in the Caribbean, the decree was updated following the weekend raid and, though signed by Maduro on the day of his capture, was later endorsed by interim President Rodriguez.

International reactions have been swift. The White House stated that the US was "not involved" in the disturbances near the presidential palace, while Switzerland froze Swiss-based assets linked to Maduro, indicating that illicit funds could be redirected to benefit the Venezuelan population. At the United Nations Security Council, the United States described Maduro as a "Narco-Terrorist," while Venezuelan representatives accused Washington of kidnapping their leader, highlighting the sharp international divide over the raid.

As the gunfire and drone activity raised tensions across Caracas, officials have yet to provide a clear account of what occurred in the skies above Miraflores. Residents relied on witness reports and foreign media, while the interim government continued operating under expanded emergency powers. With Maduro's legal proceedings ongoing in the United States and domestic security measures shaping immediate policy, Venezuela faces a period of heightened political uncertainty.