Venezuela Condemns "Cowardly Kidnapping" of Maduro by the US

Venezuelan Defense Minister Denounces American Actions

The Defense Minister of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, labeled the United States' action to kidnap President Nicolas Maduro as a "cowardly kidnapping." In his televised statement, he also mentioned that several of the president's guards were killed "in cold blood," alongside military personnel and Venezuelan civilians.

Supreme Court Decision and US Threats

Padrino Lopez supported a ruling by the Supreme Court, which appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Oil Minister as interim president for a period of 90 days. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened that Rodriguez would pay a "very high price" if she did not cooperate with Washington.

American Military Attack and International Reactions

U.S. forces attacked Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, bombing military targets and kidnapping Maduro along with his wife to subject him to federal drug trafficking charges in New York. Maduro was escorted from an aircraft to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York and taken to a jail in Brooklyn. He is set to appear for the first time in a federal court in Manhattan on Monday.

Protests in the United States and Global Concerns

Protests have erupted in multiple cities across the U.S. against Trump's military actions in Venezuela. Thousands gathered in Los Angeles, holding signs with messages like "Stop the Bombings in Venezuela Now!" On an international level, the UN expressed concerns over the actions of the United States, stating that they could set a dangerous precedent.

Opinions of Venezuelan Citizens

In Venezuela, public reactions are mixed. Some people in Caracas welcome the U.S. action, hoping for a positive change after 28 years of governance, while others, such as traders and motorcyclists, remain cautious, voicing their fears regarding political manipulations. Some citizens have expressed the intention to leave the country amid growing uncertainty.