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Reports of gunfire, explosions near Miraflores Palace in Caracas after Delcy Rodriguez oath; videos
Gunfire and explosions were reported in Caracas hours after Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president.
Reports of fresh gunfire and explosions surfaced from Caracas, Venezuela, on Monday, hours after Vice President Delcy Rodriguez took oath as the interim president after the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro by the United States.
Locals shared videos that showed armed individuals near the Miraflores presidential palace. Sounds of explosions and gunfire can be heard. CNN reports that it is unclear what the gunfire and explosions are related to.
At least one video has been verified to have taken place on Monday evening.
Meanwhile, other videos showed armed individuals on the street near the Miraflores Palace. Here's a video:
Note: Ht.com has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.
The tensions between the United States and Venezuela peaked on January 3 when the US Army's Delta Force unit stormed the presidential palace and captured President Maduro in an unprecedented operation. He was deported to New York and made his first court appearance on Monday in Manhattan, where he pleaded not guilty. President Maduro faces charges related to narco-terrorism and gun possession.
In the absence of Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, a staunch Maduro ally, was sworn in as the interim president on Monday. Rodriguez faces intense pressure from the United States with Trump warning that she could face a “very big price,” possibly worse than Maduro’s, if she does not cooperate with the demands of the US, which includes "total access" to its resources.
Also read: End of NATO coming? Denmark PM's stern warning to Trump against Greenland invasion
Trump Doubles Down On Venezuela Despite Internal Pressure
The US strike on Venezuela has attracted sharp criticism within the US, given that it was undertaken without the approval of the US Congress. Senators across party lines have criticized Trump's move, alleging that it is unconstitutional.
Among the Republican Senators who have opposed Trump's move are Rand Paul, who has long opposed military intervention in the South American country. Democrat Senators Jeff Merkley and Elizabeth Warren have also hit out at the Trump administration.
Trump, meanwhile, has remained unfazed with his pursuit. On Monday, he told NBC News that he considers himself in charge of Venezuela. US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet with US oil executives to start operations in Venezuela.
