Drones were spotted near the airspace over the Palacio de Miraflores in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, according to Spanish-language news outlets on Monday, with additional reports of clashes in the streets and shots fired.
The Venezuelan government confirmed that the drones were spotted illegally flying over Caracas by security officials, with the police firing warning shots in an attempt to deter the situation.
Initial reports indicated that heavy gunfire was deployed against what appeared to be drones near the main government building, and that the city's main ministries were evacuated, according to the South American site Infobae.
The shootings began at around 8.00 p.m. local time (GMT-4), with videos surfacing of people running into and hiding in stores and buildings, while heavy gunfire is heard in the background.
Social media reports also showed armed soldiers patrolling the street near the Palacio de Miraflores, with the government yet to release any statements clarifying the situation.
An AFP report, citing various Venezuelan officials, assured that the situation was under control and was only a communication error within the armed forces.
Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as Venezuela's president
This situation erupted just hours after Delcy Rodriguez, the former vice president under the government of Nicolas Maduro, was officially sworn in as Venezuela's new president on Monday.
Rodriguez assumed the role after US special forces captured Maduro on Saturday.
Rodriguez had initially condemned the US detention of Maduro, calling it a "zionist attack," but later issued a statement where she assured that Venezuela aimed to peacefully collaborate with the United States and US President Donald Trump.
Trump discussed the situation in Venezuela, saying that "the US is not at war with Venezuela," during an interview with NBC News on Monday.
The US President also explained that the situation in the country may not be resolved in the short term, clarifying that Venezuela would not hold elections within the next 30 days, with the most optimistic timeframe being 18 months.