House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday that the United States does not expect to deploy ground troops to Venezuela, stressing that Washington’s objective is a “change in behavior, not occupation,” following the dramatic US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Johnson’s remarks came as tensions remained high in Caracas, where witnesses reported brief gunfire near the presidential palace overnight. According to local accounts, shots were fired after security forces detected a suspected drone flying close to the palace complex. Authorities later said the situation was quickly brought under control, but the incident underscored the volatility gripping the capital.

In Washington, senior members of Congress were briefed by the Trump administration on the circumstances surrounding the operation and its aftermath. Officials reportedly outlined the legal basis for Maduro’s arrest, the security situation inside Venezuela, and potential regional repercussions. Lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about escalation but were told that no large-scale US military deployment is planned.

International reaction has been swift and wide-ranging. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement voicing support for Greenland after former President Donald Trump renewed interest in the Arctic island in the wake of the Venezuela operation, framing it as part of broader US strategic concerns. European leaders emphasized respect for sovereignty and international law.

Trump, meanwhile, issued a warning to several countries, including Cuba, Colombia, and Mexico, accusing them of supporting or enabling instability linked to the Maduro government. He said further measures could follow if regional actors “undermine security or obstruct justice.”

In New York, Maduro and his wife appeared in federal court for the first time on Monday, where both pleaded not guilty to a range of charges. The judge scheduled the next hearing for March 17. Outside the courthouse, security was tight as demonstrators both for and against the former Venezuelan leader gathered.