Vice President of Venezuela establishes National Defense Council: ‘The only president of Venezuela Is Nicolás Maduro’

In a public statement issued in the wake of the U.S. criminal attacks on Venezuela and abduction of President Nicolás Maduro, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez reiterated that Washington’s military operation seeks regime change and control of Venezuela’s natural resources. According to the presidential line of succession stipulated by Venezuela’s Constitution, Rodríguez will become the president of the nation in President Maduro’s absence.

In the statement, VP Rodríguez demanded the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores: “The only president of Venezuela is President Nicolás Maduro,” she said.

In a statement broadcast on publicly owned national radio and television on Saturday, January 3, at 3 p.m., Rodríguez reflected on the unprecedented military aggression carried out by the United States against Venezuela, perpetrated at 1:58 a.m. Caracas time, which culminated in the illegal abduction of President Maduro and his wife.

Accompanied by senior officials from the Venezuelan government, representatives of the public authorities and military high command, and other authorities, the vice president led an emergency meeting of the National Defense Council (Codena) at Miraflores Palace. Rodríguez recalled that the administration had warned of attacks under “false excuses and pretexts,” noting that “the mask has fallen.”

The vice president reported on the activation of the Citizen Security Agency and “all national power” in Venezuela. This seeks to activate the defense of national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, which she described as “savagely attacked.” She also added that “the people of Venezuela have taken to the streets,” following a previous call by President Maduro for the activation of the armed forces (FANB) and the civil militias.

VP Rodríguez also announced the activation of a decree of “external commotion” signed by President Maduro and delivered to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice for endorsement by the Constitutional Chamber. This decree is expected to obtain judicial approval in the coming hours and effectively places the country in a state of emergency, permitting special measures to be carried out under the Constitution.

The vice president reiterated that the real objective of this operation is “regime change in Venezuela,” which would allow the United States to take over “our energy, mineral, and natural resources.” She called on the international community to stand up for justice.

The vice president highlighted international support from countless countries, including China, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, neighboring countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and numerous nations of Africa and Asia. She stated that the governments of the world are shocked by this attack. Incidentally, she also mentioned a possible “Zionist influence” on the attacks and referred to the abduction as “truly shameful.”

Rodríguez quoted Simón Bolívar, liberator of the Americas from Spanish colonial rule: “The veil has been torn, we have seen the light, and they want to return us to darkness. The chains have been broken, we have been free, and our enemies seek to enslave us once again.” She emphasized that Venezuela “will never again be a colony of any empire.”

The vice president recalled recent statements by President Maduro, who, in a recent interview with Ignacio Ramonet, confirmed the Venezuelan government’s willingness to “maintain dialogue to address a constructive agenda.”

VP Rodríguez pointed out that the U.S. aggression “flagrantly violates Articles 1 and 2 of the United Nations Charter” despite the fact that Maduro had extended his hand to the U.S. administration to attempt to establish “diplomatic, political, and institutional channels of communication” based on the well-being of civilians, friendship, cooperation, and respect for international law.

Finally, the vice president called on the Venezuelan people to “remain calm” and to face the situation “together in perfect national unity.” She urged that the “police, military, and popular forces” become “one body” to defend “our beloved Venezuela” in this “stage of defense of our sovereignty and our national independence.”

Alba Ciudad with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune