Only a few days after former president Nicolás Maduro was apprehended and sent to the United States, Monday night’s gunfire and explosions outside Caracas’ Miraflores Palace raised new security fears.
Residents described a tense situation as security personnel stormed the area, according to local media and unconfirmed social media footage of heavy shooting near the presidential building.
CNN was able to collect videos that seemed to show flashes in the night sky over the capital that were thought to be lights from drones and anti-aircraft fire.
Additional film that went viral on the internet featured military convoys and security patrols stationed along the streets that led to the palace, along with armed men brandishing heavy weaponry. As local security was strengthened, residents were observed seeking shelter.
Local accounts state that the gunfire started at approximately 8 p.m. local time in response to reports that unidentifiable drones were spotted close to the palace, adding to the chaos.
The White House has refuted any connection to the shooting.
CNN subsequently stated that the gunshot was the consequence of a “misunderstanding,” citing conversations among regime-affiliated paramilitary groups that implied confusion between various security units stationed close to the palace.
There were no definite reports of fatalities or injuries as of late Monday night. Additionally, authorities have not released a formal announcement regarding any potential damage, arrests, or the specific reason behind the security breach.
Whether the incident was directly related to the nation’s worsening political turmoil has not been confirmed by officials.
After Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained during a US military operation over the weekend, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president just hours before the alleged firing.
