CARACAS: Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez has announced seven days of national mourning following the US military operation, which resulted in the deaths of Venezuelan security personnel and the abduction of the country’s president by US forces.
In broadcast on state television, Rodríguez said the mourning period was declared to honor the men and women who lost their lives while defending Venezuela and it’s President Nicolás Maduro. She described Venezuela as a peaceful country and condemned the US action as an unnecessary act of aggression.
Rodríguez also referred to the presence of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in the United States, where they appeared before a New York court in connection with drug trafficking and weapons-related charges. Both have pleaded not guilty to the allegations.
The exact death toll from the US strike has not been officially confirmed. However, Venezuela’s attorney general stated that “dozens” of people were killed.
Venezuela strongly criticized the attack, labeling it an act of aggression, while Cuba expressed solidarity with Caracas. Rodríguez reiterated that Venezuela is not at war, emphasizing that its people are peace-loving but have become victims of foreign aggression.
Following the incident, political tensions and uncertainty have increased across Venezuela, with potential repercussions for both the local population and regional as well as international relations.
