'Will release all capabilities for defence of the nation': Venezuela defense minister

After the US attack on Venezuelan capital Caracas, Venezuela defense minister Vladimir Padrino has reacted sharply saying, "The free, independent and sovereign Venezuela, rejects with all its strength with its liberation history, the presence of these foreign troops that have left death, pain and destruction in their path."

He said that Venezuela "will release all our capabilities for the integral defence of the nation. To reestablish order, and peace we will activate throughout all the geographical national space along with perfect popular military fusion, we have placed in operational military police through deployment of all the terrestrial, aerial, naval, river and missile armed systems for defence."

Trump claims attack on Venezuela

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Jan 3) confirmed that the United States carried out “large scale” strikes against Venezuela. He also said that he has “captured” the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown out of the country. He added that the operation was done in “conjunction” with the US law enforcement.

Taking to Truth Social Trump wrote, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,”