In the early hours of Saturday, Diosdado Cabello, a prominent figure in the Venezuelan government, appeared on national television. Surrounded by military and police forces, he condemned what he described as a "cowardly attack" by the United States on Venezuela, urging citizens to remain calm amidst uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro.
Cabello, wearing a bulletproof vest and accompanied by armed officials, stated, "This is an assault on Venezuela, the Bolivarian Republic, and even those who have no connection to the Bolivarian Revolution."
He further emphasized, "Our military, police forces, and citizens are prepared for any situation, fully deployed to ensure the peace and stability of our nation."
Cabello called for trust in the "political and military leadership" and cautioned against panic. "I urge our people to stay calm. Do not make things easier for the invading enemy, the terrorist enemy who attacked us in this cowardly manner," he declared defiantly.
As the first vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Cabello argued that the country is facing yet another imperialist aggression, asserting that the government will endure as it has in the past. "This is not the first battle our people have had to fight against those who think they can defeat us," he emphasized.
Cabello's remarks followed hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro had been captured by the elite Delta Force unit and taken out of Venezuela in an unprecedented military operation.
The state-run channel VTV aired Cabello's speech with the caption "The country demands proof of life for President Maduro from the U.S.," a demand also voiced by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
Key Questions About the Alleged U.S. Attack on Venezuela
What did Diosdado Cabello accuse the United States of?
Diosdado Cabello accused the United States of launching a "cowardly attack" on Venezuela, targeting the Bolivarian Republic and its people.
How has the Venezuelan leadership responded to the alleged U.S. actions?
The Venezuelan leadership, including Diosdado Cabello, has urged calm and trust in the military and political leadership, while condemning the U.S. and calling for resistance against what they perceive as imperialist aggression.