US Strike Kills Majority of Maduro’s Security Team, Says Venezuela Defence Minister

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López has confirmed that a large portion of the security detail protecting ousted President Nicolás Maduro was killed during a United States military operation that targeted Caracas. The statement comes amid rapidly escalating tensions following Washington’s airstrikes and the capture of the Venezuelan leader.

Speaking in a televised address, Padrino said that many members of Maduro’s personal security team died during what the US has described as Operation Absolute Resolve. While acknowledging the heavy losses, the defence minister did not provide an exact number of casualties among the security personnel. He described the operation as a direct attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and accused the United States of carrying out what he termed a “kidnapping” of the country’s elected leader.

The confirmation followed US airstrikes launched in Caracas a day earlier, which Venezuelan authorities say killed at least 40 people, including civilians and military personnel. The strikes culminated in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently taken to the United States. Maduro is scheduled to appear before a federal court in Manhattan in connection with long-running drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.

Padrino reiterated that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate president despite his removal, insisting that the US operation violated international law and democratic norms. He said the armed forces remained “united and cohesive in the face of imperial aggression” and pledged that the military would continue to defend the country’s sovereignty.

In the immediate aftermath of Maduro’s capture, the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela issued an order appointing Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president, as interim head of state. The court said the move was necessary to ensure administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation during what it described as an extraordinary crisis.

Rodríguez’s appointment was swiftly endorsed by Venezuela’s military leadership, which publicly declared its support for her interim presidency. Senior commanders said the armed forces would follow constitutional directives and remain mobilised nationwide to maintain internal order and territorial integrity.

The developments have triggered sharp reactions internationally. Several governments have condemned the US action as destabilising, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for military intervention and regime change. Critics argue that the high civilian toll reported by Venezuelan authorities raises serious humanitarian concerns, while Washington has defended the operation on security grounds.

The loss of much of Maduro’s security team underscores the scale and intensity of the operation and highlights the risks faced by protective units during high-profile military interventions. Analysts say the confirmation from Venezuela’s defence minister suggests that the strike was both targeted and lethal, aimed at neutralising key elements of the former president’s protective apparatus.

As Venezuela enters a period of deep political uncertainty, the situation on the ground remains tense. With Maduro in US custody, an interim leadership in place, and the military on high alert, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining the country’s political and security trajectory.