In a dangerous and unprecedented escalation of the political and military crisis in Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez asserted on Saturday that she has no knowledge of President Nicolás Maduro's whereabouts, demanding that the US administration provide concrete evidence proving he is still alive. This shocking statement follows US President Donald Trump's announcement that US forces had conducted a large-scale military operation resulting in the capture of the Venezuelan president.
Official demands to reveal the fate
During an interview broadcast on Venezuelan state television, Rodríguez spoke in a tense tone, reflecting the widespread confusion in the capital, Caracas. "In the face of this brutal attack launched overnight against our national sovereignty, we assure the people and the world that we do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro or First Lady Cilia Flores," she said. Addressing the White House, she added, "We demand that the administration of President Donald Trump provide immediate and irrefutable proof that they are alive, and we hold Washington fully responsible for their physical safety.".
Context of the historical tension between Washington and Caracas
This event cannot be understood in isolation from the long history of hostility and tension between the United States and Venezuela. For years, Washington has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Caracas, primarily targeting the vital oil sector, in an attempt to pressure the Maduro regime to step down. Relations deteriorated sharply after the United States and other Western countries recognized opposition leaders as the legitimate authority in the past, and the US Department of Justice formally charged Maduro and senior officials with involvement in "narco-terrorism," offering substantial financial rewards for information leading to their capture.
Repercussions of the US military operation
President Trump's announcement of a "large-scale strike" and the arrest of Maduro marked a radical turning point in the Latin American geopolitical landscape. Observers believe this bold American action could plunge Venezuela into a dark tunnel of constitutional vacuum and power struggles, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the stance of the Venezuelan military, which has long been the backbone of Maduro's hold on power.
Regional and international concerns
Maduro's disappearance and the announcement of his arrest have sparked widespread fears of a security crisis that could spill over into neighboring countries, as well as potential repercussions for global energy markets, given Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Attention is now focused on international reactions, particularly from Caracas's traditional allies such as Russia and China, and how they will respond to this sudden change imposed by US military force, as the world awaits further developments regarding the Venezuelan president's fate.
