Caracas [Venezuela]: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday announced seven days of national mourning following deaths reported during a recent US military operation in Caracas and the detention of former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, according to CNN.
Addressing the nation through the state broadcaster, Rodriguez said the mourning period was meant to honour those who lost their lives during what she described as an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty. She stated that the victims had died while defending the country and its leadership.
Rodriguez also demanded the return of Maduro and Flores, who are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York. The couple pleaded not guilty on Monday to US charges related to narcotics trafficking and weapons offences.
Rejecting claims that Venezuela is being run by external forces, Rodriguez asserted that the country remains firmly under Venezuelan control. She said the nation is not at war but was subjected to aggression, stressing that no foreign power governs Venezuela.
The Venezuelan government has not officially confirmed the number of casualties from the US operation. However, the country’s attorney general has appointed three officials to investigate reports of what he described as “dozens” of deaths. Separately, Cuba claimed that 32 of its nationals were killed during the operation.
Rodriguez, who was sworn in on Monday as interim president following Maduro’s removal, reiterated that Venezuela’s sovereignty remains intact despite international pressure. Her remarks came as US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela’s interim authorities would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said the oil would be sold at market prices, with proceeds controlled by the US administration to ensure they benefit both Venezuela and the United States. He added that Energy Secretary Chris Wright had been directed to implement the plan immediately, with the oil to be transported directly to US ports.
Rodriguez’s comments come amid rising tensions between Caracas and Washington, as the Trump administration continues to push for cooperation from Venezuela, particularly regarding access to its energy resources.
