Venezuela in chaos as security forces swarm streets after ‘gunfire and | World | News
Tensions flared in Venezuela’s capital overnight after reports of gunfire close to the presidential palace as unrest continued following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro.
Residents in parts of Caracas reported hearing repeated bursts of gunfire near the Miraflores Palace, with the sounds echoing through surrounding neighbourhoods. Several videos shared on social media appeared to capture the noise of sustained shooting, prompting fears of further instability in the city.
Footage posted by Venezuelan journalist Richard Humberto Blanco Bencomo shows armed individuals moving through streets near the palace while gunshots can be heard in the background. In a caption translated from Spanish, he said the video had been sent to him by a resident and that the reason for the shooting was unclear.
People living nearby said the unrest intensified from around 8.15pm local time, when loud explosions and flashes of light were reported in the sky above the capital. Some described the sounds as resembling anti-aircraft fire, though there has been no official confirmation of the source.
BBC Verify said it had confirmed the location of one video recorded close to the presidential palace in which gunshots can be clearly heard. It said there was no immediate evidence explaining why shots were fired or who was responsible.
Another clip verified by the BBC was filmed around 650 metres from the palace and appears to show a man suggesting the gunfire may have been in response to drones in the area. The BBC said this claim could not be independently confirmed.
The overnight disturbances came amid a heavy security presence across Caracas. Armed police and military units were deployed in several districts, with checkpoints reported on major roads. Venezuela’s interior minister later shared images showing security forces patrolling the streets during the night.
The unrest has left many residents fearful of leaving their homes, with shops closing early and streets largely empty in some areas. The wider security situation in the capital remains unclear as tensions continue to simmer.
The developments follow days of political upheaval in Venezuela, with international reaction continuing to mount as the situation evolves.
