Caracas Jan. 06 (SANA) Tensions in Venezuela continued to unfold following a U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and their transfer to the United States, as gunfire was reported near the presidential palace in Caracas and the opposition leader announced plans to return to the country.
A Venezuelan official source said security forces fired warning shots on at unauthorized drones flying over the area surrounding the presidential palace. The source said the incident did not involve clashes and stressed that the situation in the country remained calm.
Video footage circulating on social media showed a heavy security presence around the palace following the incident, reflecting heightened security measures in the capital.
Opposition moves
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said she intends to return to Venezuela “as soon as possible,” while criticizing interim president Delcy Rodríguez.
In an interview with the U.S. television network Fox News, Machado said Rodríguez lacked popular legitimacy and claimed that voters stand with the opposition. She expressed confidence that the opposition would secure more than 90 percent of the vote in free and fair elections.
Machado said her political vision includes transforming Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, into a major energy hub in the Americas, dismantling structures she said had harmed citizens, restoring the rule of law, opening markets, and encouraging foreign investment. She also pledged to work toward the return of millions of Venezuelans who left the country.
Security Council confrontation
At the United Nations, the Security Council held an emergency session on developments in Venezuela. Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada accused the United States of violating his country’s sovereignty and called for the release of President Maduro.
Moncada described the U.S. military operation as an unlawful assault and a serious breach of the U.N. Charter, saying Venezuela had become a target due to its natural resources. He urged the council to uphold international legitimacy and peace.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz rejected the accusations, describing the operation as a law-enforcement action aimed at apprehending Maduro, whom he described as a fugitive from justice. He denied that the United States was engaged in war or occupation in Venezuela.
U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo stressed the need to respect state sovereignty and political independence, and reiterated the prohibition on the threat or use of force against sovereign states.
Maduro before court
Nicolás Maduro appeared before a court in New York, where he pleaded not guilty to charges related to drug trafficking and possession of automatic weapons.
Addressing the judge, Maduro said he was innocent and stated that he was arrested at his home in Caracas, insisting that he still considers himself the president of Venezuela. His wife, Cilia Flores, also denied the charges.
The judge ordered both to remain in custody and scheduled the next hearing for March 17. Since Saturday evening, Maduro has been held in one of Brooklyn’s largest detention facilities. Meanwhile, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president.
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