Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as acting president amid security scare near Venezuela’s presidential palace

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president on Monday, even as gunfire was heard near the presidential palace in Caracas, prompting the evacuation of several government buildings and heightening tensions in the capital.

Soon after Rodríguez took oath, shots were reported in the vicinity of the Miraflores presidential palace. A source close to the government said the situation was quickly brought under control. The source added that unidentified drones were seen flying over the palace complex, following which security forces opened fire as a precautionary measure, Chinese news agency reported.

The developments come after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was taken from Caracas by US forces and later arraigned in New York on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine. Maduro pleaded not guilty, insisting he remains Venezuela’s legitimate leader despite Rodríguez being sworn in as acting president.

Addressing a meeting of the National Defence Council broadcast on state television channel VTV, Delcy Rodríguez demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, calling him “the only president of Venezuela” and describing US actions in the country as a “savage attack.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said Venezuela would not hold elections in the next 30 days, stating that the country must first be stabilised. He named senior members of his administration, including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller and JD Vance, to oversee US actions related to Venezuela.

Trump also indicated that his administration could support US oil companies in rebuilding Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, saying the investment would involve substantial funding but could be completed in a relatively short time. He denied that the United States is at war with Venezuela, instead framing US actions as part of a broader fight against drug trafficking.

The arrest of Maduro, Rodríguez’s swearing-in, and the security incident near the presidential palace have drawn strong reactions internationally, with several governments and observers expressing concern over the rapidly evolving political and security situation in Venezuela.

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)