Defense minister says Venezuela will resist foreign troops
Venezuelan officials vow to resist foreign troops after U.S. claims of Maduro’s capture, while the government demands proof of life and reports civilian casualties.
Vanessa Romeo
Reuters
January 3, 2026
FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks with Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and Remigio Ceballos Strategic Operational Commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, during a military exercise in Valencia, Venezuela January 27, 2019.
Miraflores Palace/Reuters
Venezuela will resist the presence of foreign troops, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video broadcast on government television VTV early on Saturday (January 3), as U.S. President Donald Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and was being removed from the country.
A U.S. attack on the country in the early morning struck civilian areas, Padrino said, and Venezuela is compiling information about dead and injured people.
The Venezuelan government does not know the whereabouts of Maduro or his wife Cilia Flores, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Saturday morning in an audio also played on state tv and demanded proof of life.
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