Venezuela's vice president stated that Nicolás Maduro is the sole president of the country and confirmed that Venezuela has a clear government after Trump said the U.S. would take over administration.
On Saturday, 3 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's vice president, issued a live televised statement from Caracas, affirming that Nicolás Maduro is the only president of Venezuela after the U.S. military attacked and arrested Maduro and his wife in the early hours of Saturday (local time).
This statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump's prior claim that she is the country's new leader after Maduro was detained by U.S. forces.
Rodríguez held a press conference alongside senior government officials, including Diosdado Cabello, Minister of Interior, Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, and several military leaders. She stated the government is ready to "defend" Venezuela after Trump announced that the U.S. would "administer" the country.
"We will never be a colony again," Rodríguez said. She also condemned the "aggression" by the United States and declared, "The words of President (Maduro) are the only guidance for us."
Rodríguez added that the Defence Council has already begun operating and revealed that the Venezuelan government will issue further responses within the next few hours.
"To our Venezuela, to our people, there is a clear government here," she said, adding that Venezuela is willing to engage in respectful and lawful negotiations.