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Heavy gunfire and reports of suspected drone activity near Venezuela’s presidential palace sparked renewed security fears in Caracas late Monday night, as the country remains tense following the US-led operation that resulted in President Nicolás Maduro’s capture and removal.

Witnesses cited by AFP said shots rang out near the Miraflores presidential palace in central Caracas at around 8:00 pm local time (0000 GMT). A government source told the agency that unidentified drones were seen flying over the palace complex, prompting security forces to open fire.

The source stated that the situation was later brought under control, although authorities did not immediately release details about possible damage or casualties.

— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) January 6, 2026

Separately, BNO News reported that heavy gunfire was heard across several parts of Caracas for nearly 45 minutes, including areas close to the presidential palace. Residents also reported hearing what sounded like drones or aircraft overhead, while some neighbourhoods experienced power outages during the incident.

There was no immediate official explanation from Venezuelan authorities regarding the cause of the gunfire or the reported aerial activity.

CNN also reported gunfire near the Miraflores palace, citing videos geolocated by the network that appeared to show drone lights and anti-aircraft fire illuminating the night sky. The network said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear.

The security scare comes amid heightened political instability in the Venezuelan capital following the swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro, assumed office after the Venezuelan leader was captured by US military forces during a weekend operation and transferred to the United States.

Earlier on Monday, the Venezuelan government published a decree declaring a “State of External Commotion,” granting the presidency sweeping emergency powers. According to CNN, the decree directs national, state, and municipal police forces 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 a US-led armed attack on Venezuela.

The decree, dated Saturday and signed by Maduro on the same day he was captured, was later endorsed by interim president Rodríguez. Although initially drafted and announced in late September, the contents were not made public at the time and were updated following developments over the weekend, CNN reported.

The measure carries the force of law for an initial 90 days, with the option of a further extension. Under Venezuela’s Constitution, such a declaration grants the president near-total authority over political, economic, and social affairs during periods deemed to threaten national security or state institutions.

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