Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life from the U.S. government for Maduro and his wife. AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos/File

We do not know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, says Venezuelan Vice President

Key points from the statements of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez:

  • We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. We demand immediate proof of life from the Trump administration for President Maduro and the First Lady.
  • All sectors of Venezuelan society must mobilize to guarantee Venezuela’s independence. No foreign government should attempt to dictate to Venezuela.
  • The people of Venezuela, in perfect national unity, must mobilize to defend their natural resources and the most sacred thing the nation possesses. Its right to independence and its future.
  • The people of Venezuela, in perfect national unity, must mobilize to defend their natural resources and what is most sacred to the nation. No one will violate the historical legacy of our liberator, Simón Bolívar.
We condemn this aggression against our people, which has claimed the lives of officials, soldiers, innocent civilians.

Statement from Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López issued the first official statement on Saturday following the U.S. airstrikes against the South American country in the early hours of the morning.

“This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has suffered,” he asserted in a social media post. Adding that his ministry is deployed to assess the damage and potential casualties following the bombings, which impacted civilian areas.

In this vein, Padrino described Washington’s actions as a “criminal military aggression,” and called upon the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) to defend the country’s sovereignty. “Honor, duty, and history call us. Let the cry of a free homeland resound in every corner! Victory is ours, because reason and dignity are with us! We will prevail!” he wrote.

Petro reinforces the border with Venezuela for security and to assist potential refugees

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Saturday a reinforcement of security on the border with Venezuela. To address a possible mass arrival of refugees from that country following the United States’ attack on Caracas and other cities and the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

“Public forces are being deployed on the border, and all available assistance resources are being deployed in case of a mass influx of refugees,” Petro wrote in a message on his Twitter account. Noting that he had been following the events in Venezuela during a security council meeting in the early hours of the morning.

With information from cubadebate.cu, news agencies, Prensa Latina, and our editorial staff

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