Gunfire Erupts in Caracas as Trump Claims Authority Over Venezuela's Transition
Caracas, Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
Security forces report drone activity and gunfire near Caracas’ presidential palace as President Trump asserts he is “in charge,” dismissing immediate elections following Maduro’s New York arraignment.
Escalation in Caracas Following Operation Resolución Absoluta
The geopolitical shockwaves from the U.S. military’s capture of Nicolás Maduro have intensified, manifesting in direct armed conflict within the Venezuelan capital less than 72 hours after the extraction. Following the execution of “Operation Resolución Absoluta,” which successfully removed Maduro from power on January 3 [4], the security situation in Caracas deteriorated sharply on the night of Monday, January 5 [2]. Residents near the Miraflores Palace reported a chaotic scene involving detonations and sustained gunfire, which security sources described as an anti-aircraft response to unidentified drones breaching the airspace over the seat of government [1][3]. This kinetic activity on the ground contradicts initial hopes for an immediate pacification of the region and underscores the volatility of the power vacuum left in the wake of the U.S. intervention.
Washington Asserts Control Amidst Institutional duality
While security forces exchanged fire in Caracas, a profound constitutional crisis deepened as rival claims to executive authority emerged. On Monday, January 5, U.S. President Donald Trump explicitly dismissed the possibility of holding Venezuelan elections within the next 30 days, declaring that he is currently “in charge” of the nation’s trajectory [1]. This assertion of direct administrative control clashes with maneuvers by the remnants of the Chavista regime; mere hours before the shootings at Miraflores, Delcy Rodríguez was invested as the “presidenta encargada” (acting president) by regime loyalists [3]. Further complicating the transition, the newly installed Venezuelan parliament convened on January 5, with legislators chanting support for the deposed leader, signaling that the dismantling of the previous political infrastructure remains far from complete [2].
Legal Battles Begin as Oil Markets React
As violence flared in Caracas, the legal and economic dimensions of this intervention accelerated in New York. On Monday, January 5, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arraigned in federal court, where they pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges [1]. Maduro’s defense team has adopted a strategy of labeling him a “prisoner of war” who remains the legitimate president, while also requesting urgent medical attention for injuries Flores allegedly sustained during her capture, including potential rib fractures [1]. The court has scheduled their next appearance for March 17 [1]. Simultaneously, the energy markets have reacted swiftly to the geopolitical shift. Brent crude prices fell 1.12% to $60.07, and West Texas Intermediate dropped 1.22% to $56.62 on January 5, reflecting market anticipation of a U.S.-led revitalization of Venezuela’s oil sector [1].
Strategic Asset Movement and Diplomatic Fallout
The economic implications extend beyond price fluctuations to the physical movement of assets. Data from January 5 indicates that 16 sanctioned oil tankers have departed Venezuelan waters, with 13 of these vessels transporting approximately 12 million barrels of crude oil and fuel primarily toward China, likely in an attempt to secure assets before U.S. control solidifies [1]. This resource flight coincides with heightened diplomatic friction; China has expressed “profound shock” at the military operation, while Iran has demanded Maduro’s immediate release [1]. Domestically, the U.S. administration is moving to capitalize on its control, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright scheduled to meet with oil executives this week to outline the rehabilitation of Venezuela’s crude industry [1], a move President Trump framed as an opportunity for U.S. companies to invest billions in repairing the country’s dilapidated infrastructure [4].