Venezuelan government condemns alleged kidnapping of officials supporting President Maduro

US Secretary of State Clarifies Previous Statements on Venezuela

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has denounced the United States’ move to apprehend President Nicolas Maduro as a “cowardly kidnapping”. The incident occurred early Saturday, when US forces bombed military targets in Caracas and took Maduro into custody. He is currently being held at a Brooklyn jail in New York.

In a televised statement on Sunday, Padrino Lopez also endorsed a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days. US President Donald Trump has threatened that Rodriguez will face consequences if she does not cooperate with Washington.

Trump stated that Rodriguez will pay a “very big price” if she doesn’t comply. He also mentioned that Maduro was being taken to face federal narco-trafficking charges in New York.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified the US’s stance on Venezuela, stating that Washington would not take a day-to-day role in governing the country. Instead, he suggested that the US would enforce an existing “oil quarantine” to press policy changes.

Trump had previously stated that the US would “run” Venezuela, but his administration has since clarified this statement. The Trump administration’s actions have drawn criticism from some Republican Party members and observers who recall past nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Protests took place in cities across the US against Trump’s military action in Venezuela. Hundreds gathered in downtown Los Angeles, carrying signs that read “Stop bombing Venezuela now!” and “No blood for oil”.

The United Nations special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism, Ben Saul, has called on Trump to be investigated and impeached over the alleged killings. The UN Security Council is set to meet on Monday to discuss the situation in Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Maduro is due to make his first appearance in Manhattan’s federal court on Monday.

Source: Al Jazeera