Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded proof that President Nicolás Maduro is alive following claims by the United States that he and First Lady Cilia Flores have been captured. Rodríguez confirmed that the Venezuelan government does not know the whereabouts of either Maduro or Flores and has formally requested immediate evidence of their well-being.

Earlier, former US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that US forces had successfully carried out a major operation against Venezuela, detaining Maduro and his wife and removing them from the country. US officials told CBS News that the operation was conducted by the Delta Force, a top US military counterterrorism unit. Explosions were reportedly heard across Caracas as the US assault began late Friday night, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency.

In response, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced the nationwide deployment of the military and condemned the attack as the “worst aggression” against the country, urging citizens to unite in resistance.