Gunfire was heard on Monday evening in Venezuela’s capital Caracas, near the Miraflores presidential palace. Reports from multiple sources mention drones in the airspace over the government district and that air defenses were activated.
Video clips geolocated by CNN show light phenomena in the night sky, believed to come from drones as well as what appears to be anti-aircraft fire. It is still unclear exactly what the incident entails.
#URGENTE | Ráfagas de disparos cerca del palacio presidencial de Miraflores. pic.twitter.com/xmubcn9lwz
— Orlando Avendaño (@OrlvndoA) January 6, 2026
According to early reports, security forces opened heavy fire on what were perceived as drones near the government buildings. There is also information that several of the city’s central ministries were evacuated as a precaution.
Venezuelan authorities later confirmed that drones were observed illegally flying over Caracas and that police fired warning shots to deter the situation.
Spanish-language media also report gunfire in the streets and that people sought shelter in shops and buildings when the sound of automatic fire was heard in the background.
???????? Gunfire continues on the streets of Caracas, as panicked residents rush to take cover in nearby shelters. pic.twitter.com/E5yWxapNEN
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 6, 2026
Blaming Communication Error
The shooting reportedly began around 8:00 p.m. local time on Monday. At the same time, social media posts showed heavily armed soldiers patrolling near the Miraflores presidential palace.
Despite the dramatic turn of events, the news agency AFP, citing several Venezuelan officials, reported that the situation was under control and that it was all due to a communication error within the armed forces.
BREAKING:
Heavily armed men on the streets of Caracas pic.twitter.com/CUv4lIFtXu
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 6, 2026
New President Is Maduro’s Vice
The unrest occurred just hours after Delcy Rodríguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s new president. Rodríguez, who was previously vice president under Nicolás Maduro, took over the role after Maduro was captured by American special forces over the weekend.
Initially, Rodríguez condemned Maduro’s arrest and called it a “Zionist attack.” But later, after Trump signaled that he controlled Venezuela and hinted that Rodríguez herself could meet the same fate as Maduro, she toned down her criticism and emphasized that Venezuela is striving for peaceful cooperation with the USA and President Donald Trump.
Venezuela’s VP Delcy Rodríguez:
The governments of the world are shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones. pic.twitter.com/Cbll9T1tLy
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 4, 2026
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