‘Venezuela will not become a colony,’ says Vice President after US operation

CARACAS: Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said on Saturday that Venezuela is ready to defend its sovereignty and will not become a colony of any foreign power, following what she described as a United States military operation and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.

In a televised address, Rodríguez claimed that President Maduro had been “kidnapped” and reaffirmed that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela. She urged Venezuelans to remain patient, united, and vigilant in defense of the country.

“Venezuela will not submit to any empire,” Rodríguez said, adding that the country is prepared to defend itself and protect its natural resources following the alleged US action.

She said that Venezuelan institutions remain intact and called on citizens to stand together amid what she described as foreign aggression.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said that American forces had carried out what he termed an “extraordinary” military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the arrest of President Maduro and his wife. Speaking at a press conference, Trump said the two were being transported to New York and would face criminal charges.

Trump claimed that US military forces conducted coordinated land, sea, and air operations and did not suffer any fatalities during the mission. He said a small number of American personnel were injured but have since recovered.

The US president said that Washington would oversee Venezuela’s affairs temporarily until what he described as a “proper and fair transfer of power” takes place. He also said the United States would remain closely involved in monitoring the situation.

According to Trump, Maduro had been warned days earlier to surrender. He added that the Venezuelan president’s residence was heavily fortified and likened the arrest operation to a dramatic and unprecedented military achievement.

Trump also said that American oil companies would play a major role in Venezuela’s energy sector in the future, adding that the US would remain heavily involved in the country’s oil industry.

The Venezuelan government has strongly rejected these claims, calling them an assault on national sovereignty and international law. Tensions between Washington and Caracas have remained high, with both sides issuing sharply contrasting statements about the situation.

Web Desk