Caracas, Venezuela — Venezuela’s defense minister has ordered the full deployment of the country’s armed forces following the U.S. military strike in the country.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez in a video address said this weekend that Venezuela will not surrender or enter negotiations, vowing to resist any foreign troop presence in the country.
“They’ve attacked us but they will not subdue us,” Lopez said.
His statement came after the United States carried out a surprise operation in Caracas last Saturday, which resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Washington says Maduro was taken to face multiple drug-related charges in the United States, including narcoterrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy into the country.
According to US President Donald Trump, Maduro used his position in government to facilitate cocaine trafficking and provide protection to major drug networks operating in the US.
The US has also accused his administration of widespread election fraud and systematic human rights abuses.
Maduro has served as the president since 2013.
Meanwhile, in a separate public address, Venezuela’s military condemned the operation, calling it a violation of national sovereignty, and demanding the immediate release of the two figures: “The United States is showing a radical, a clear desperation in its handling of foreign policy, particularly with Venezuela.”
TRUMP WARNS OF SECOND STRIKE IF VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT COOPERATE
US President Donald Trump warned that a second military strike against Venezuela remains possible if members of their government refuse to cooperate with US efforts to fix the country.
However, Trump later clarified that such measures are not immediately necessary at this time.
He also said that it will take control of Venezuela.
According to Trump, this is to ensure a safe judicious transition, including allowing major US oil companies to operate in the country.
Venezuela holds the largest oil reserves in the world.
On the other hand, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, now acting as interim president, also called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
She also insisted that Maduro remains the country’s only president.
The United Nations also condemned the event, describing the strike as a violation of international law.