Chaos as gunfire erupts close to Miraflores Palace after US forces seize Maduro
Heavy gunfire was heard near Venezuela’s presidential palace in Caracas on Monday night, amid ongoing chaos following the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces to face drug trafficking charges in New York
Venezuela was thrown into chaos on Monday night after reports of intense gunfire erupted near the presidential palace in Caracas, in the wake of President Nicolás Maduro’s abrupt ousting from power.
Footage spreading across social media platforms captured the relentless sound of gunshots reverberating throughout the capital. Local journalist Richard Humberto Blanco Bencomo posted clips that seemingly show armed figures advancing through the vicinity of the Miraflores Palace whilst discharging weapons, , reports the Mirror..
In a caption translated from Spanish, Blanco penned: “A resident of Miraflores in Caracas sends me this video. Shooting in the vicinity. I don’t know the real reason.”
Local inhabitants reported hearing what they characterised as “anti-aircraft” explosions close to the palace as mayhem engulfed the streets in the aftermath of Maduro and his spouse allegedly being detained at their residence and transported to the United States to confront drug trafficking accusations. Eyewitnesses claimed the evening sky was illuminated by what seemed to be drones and anti-aircraft gunfire commencing around 8:15pm local time.
US President Donald Trump declared on Monday that America would lend a hand in reconstructing Venezuela’s crumbling infrastructure, hinting it might require up to 18 months before fresh elections take place. Trump indicated the nation would need a stabilisation period before citizens could cast ballots for fresh leadership.
“We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election,” Mr Trump said. “There’s no way the people could even vote. It’s going to take a period of time. We have to nurse the country back to health.”
China has meanwhile delivered a stark four-word ultimatum following US special forces’ swift apprehension of Venezuelan ally Nicolas Maduro, raising fears of escalating friction between Beijing and Washington DC.
The Venezuelan leader and his spouse were seized and forcibly extracted from their residence during the night in the daring operation.
Both are now due to face a New York court on Monday having been hit with multiple charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking into the US.
The operation sent ripples of shock around the globe as America demonstrated its readiness to challenge international conventions and strike decisively against nations it considers threatening or problematic.
Beijing and Moscow, who have formed an alliance opposing US supremacy, have expressed outrage following Maduro’s transportation across the Americas to face justice.
The Chinese foreign ministry issued a scathing four-word ultimatum directed at US President Donald Trump: “Release them at once.”
Beijing officials subsequently voiced grave concerns regarding their removal from the country.
