Reports of gunfire near Venezuela’s presidential palace

Gunfire was reported near Venezuela’s presidential palace in the capital of Caracas, according to witness accounts and local media reports. Authorities later said the incident did not involve a confrontation.

The reports emerged at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Monday near Miraflores Palace in central Caracas, where witnesses and videos shared on social media appeared to show weapons fire directed toward the sky.

Additional footage circulating online appeared to show sustained gunfire in the area, with armed security personnel visible nearby.

In a subsequent statement, Venezuela’s Ministry of Communication said drones were flying over central Caracas without authorization, leading police to fire warning shots. The ministry said there were no confrontations and that the situation was under control, according to CGTN.

The incident occurred amid political instability following a U.S. operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at a military bunker near Caracas.

Following Maduro’s capture, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as president. Rodríguez has since issued statements condemning the U.S. operation while also signaling openness to dialogue and cooperation.