Heavy gunfire and potential anti-aircraft fire was reported in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas late Monday night, just under 48 hours after the capture of the nation’s longtime dictator, Nicolas Maduro.
Heavy gunfire and anti-aircraft fire were reported near Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, supported by multiple geolocated videos and eyewitness accounts showing tracer rounds and sustained shooting directed skyward. Reports indicate this was triggered by unidentified drones overhead, prompting defensive response from security forces.
Local police officials and witnesses told Venezuelan media outlet TalCual that security forces identified what they thought was a “swarm” of drones operating near the Venezuelan presidential palace and interior ministry building, prompting the gunfire.
No confirmed attacks, explosions, or casualties have been reported as of this report, though the heavy gunfire has been verified by a number of media outlets, including CNN.
BREAKING:
Drones and rapid gunfire have been reported in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 6, 2026
The disturbance comes just under 48 hours after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a daring pre-dawn raid carried out by U.S. special forces and federal law enforcement personnel.
U.S. forces launched several missile and helicopter strikes against Venezuelan military bases and military airfields in order to provide a safe entryway and escape route for ground forces. Maduro was captured from his residence inside Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex in southern Caracas.
No U.S. fatalities or down aircraft were sustained as a result of the raid.
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former vice president, has replaced Nicolás Maduro as interim president following the raid. Rodriguez was reportedly in Russia when Maduro was captured and has since been sworn in as of January 5.
Initially, in a televised address shortly after the operation, she strongly condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law and a “kidnapping,” insisting that Maduro remains Venezuela’s only legitimate president and demanding his release.
However, on January 5 (in a social media statement), she shifted to a more conciliatory tone, explicitly inviting the U.S. government to collaborate on a “cooperative agenda” aimed at shared development, within the framework of international law. She emphasized prioritizing “balanced and respectful” relations with the United States, directly addressing President Trump by stating that “our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.”
President Donald Trump has vowed further military action if the interim Venezuelan government refuses to cooperate.
This is a developing story. Additional details will be provided as they become available.
