Large part of Maduro's security team killed in U.S. action-Venezuela defense minister

U.S. strikes Venezuelan capital
People on a bridge are silhouetted as smoke rises near Fort Tiuna, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
Source: REUTERS

A large part of erstwhile President Nicolas Maduro's security team was killed in the U.S. raid that led to the leader's Saturday capture, Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino said in a televised statement on Sunday morning.

Padrino did not give an exact figure of casualities, but backed the declaration of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president and said the armed forces have been activated across the country to guarantee sovereignty.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.