Caracas: Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife remain unknown, demanding proof that both are alive. She added that several Venezuelan soldiers and civilians were killed during what she described as U.S. attacks earlier in the day.
In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Washington had carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, asserting that President Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement” and that Maduro and his wife were detained following the action.
The conflicting claims triggered swift international reactions. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the bloc was following developments closely and called for restraint. She stressed that the safety of EU citizens was a top priority, reiterated that Maduro lacks legitimacy, and underscored the EU’s long-standing call for a peaceful transition of power in Venezuela. Kallas also emphasized that international law and the UN Charter must be respected and urged all parties to avoid escalation.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the United Kingdom would not take part in any attack on Venezuela. Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the reported actions as an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state, while Cuba said a “peace zone” was under brutal attack, denouncing what it called U.S. aggression against the Venezuelan people.
Chile’s president also condemned the U.S. military actions and appealed for a peaceful resolution to the unfolding crisis.