The U.S. only partially succeeded in the military operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, stated Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello on Saturday during a broadcast on state television, LETA reported, citing DPA.
“The country is quite calm. What they wanted to achieve with their bombs and rockets has only been partially successful,” said Cabello, speaking in a military helmet and bulletproof vest next to armed guards.
“They hoped that the people would run in fear. That did not happen. The time of cowardice is over,” he added.
The U.S. armed forces struck Venezuela on Saturday night and, as stated by U.S. President Donald Trump, captured and removed Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country.
According to media reports, the strikes were mainly aimed at military bases, communication centers, and ports.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded that the U.S. immediately provide evidence that the detained head of state is alive.
“We do not know where President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are,” Rodriguez stated.
In a televised address, she also reported that as a result of the U.S. strikes, both Venezuelan military personnel and civilians were killed.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino called for resistance against the U.S.
“They have attacked us, but they will not be able to break us,” Padrino said in a video address. “The unity of soldiers and the people forms an insurmountable wall of resistance,” he said, adding that all military personnel would be mobilized to defend the country.
The U.S. armed forces intensified actions against suspected drug trafficking vessels. On Friday, Venezuela stated that it was ready to negotiate with the U.S. on an agreement to combat drug smuggling.
In an interview shown on Thursday, Maduro stated that the U.S. is trying to force Venezuela to change its government and gain access to its vast oil reserves, using a months-long pressure campaign that began with the large-scale deployment of military forces in the Caribbean in August.
The U.S. accuses Maduro of drug terrorism.
The strikes on Venezuela drew sharp criticism from Caracas's allies.
Russia condemned the “armed aggression” of the U.S. against its ally Venezuela. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that it is now important to prevent further escalation and strive for dialogue, and that Russia is ready to provide support.
Iran's Foreign Ministry also sharply condemned the U.S. attack, characterizing it as a “clear violation of the principles of the UN Charter and the foundations of international law,” state agency IRNA reported.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Leave a comment