Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace in Caracas days after the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to posts circulating on social media.

Videos shared online on Monday showed armoured security vehicles in the streets near the Miraflores presidential palace, while gunshots could be heard.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately clear.

Venezuela is home to a range of armed groups, including criminal organisations and pro-government paramilitaries known as colectivos.

Shootings are not uncommon in some neighbourhoods of the capital.

Early Saturday, the U.S. attacked targets in Venezuela, captured Mr Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores and took them out of the country.

The couple appeared in a New York court on Monday to face charges related to alleged drug offences.

Mr Maduro’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday.

The political future of the oil-rich country remains uncertain.

(dpa/NAN)