Image: from EduMock X@EduMock
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies | January 4, 2026
CARACAS, VENEZUELA — In a somber and defiant televised address on Sunday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused U.S. special operations forces of “cold-bloodedly murdering” a large portion of President Nicolás Maduro’s security team during the weekend’s high-stakes extraction mission.
The address, broadcast across state networks, provided the first grim glimpse into the human cost of the Saturday raid that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. While the Trump administration celebrated the operation as a surgical strike with no American fatalities, Caracas is painting a picture of a lethal and indiscriminate assault on Venezuelan sovereignty.
Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López says that they are mobilising military resources to defend the country.
Machado will not be installed as President. Venezuelans won’t allow a US puppet. pic.twitter.com/S0n9gHe79O
— Sentletse 🇿🇦🇷🇺🇵🇸🇱🇧 (@Sentletse) January 3, 2026
Allegations of “Cold-Blooded” Killings
Padrino López did not provide a specific casualty count but emphasized that the losses among Maduro’s inner circle were catastrophic. According to the Defense Minister, the victims included elite soldiers, personal bodyguards, and “innocent citizens” caught in the crossfire as U.S. forces breached Maduro’s safe house.
“We demand that the world pay close attention to everything that is happening against Venezuela,” Padrino said. “They have murdered soldiers and citizens in a cowardly act against our Constitution.”
Despite the capture, Padrino remained steadfast in his loyalty, repeatedly referring to Maduro as the country’s “authentic and legitimate leader” and demanding the “swift” release of the presidential couple.
At a press conference, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez asked the Venezuelan people to resume their normal activities and not to fall for the provocations and psychological warfare that the U.S. government is seeking to implement. pic.twitter.com/Z37u1aLBdk
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 4, 2026
The U.S. Narrative: A “Clean” Operation
The Defense Minister’s claims stand in stark contrast to the briefing provided by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. From Florida, Trump described the mission as a “bold stroke” necessary to dismantle a “narco-state.”
While the White House acknowledged that some U.S. personnel sustained injuries, they have not confirmed any Venezuelan casualties, framing the mission as a law enforcement action to bring a “fugitive” to justice. Maduro is currently being held at a high-security detention facility in New York, awaiting trial on drug-trafficking and weapons charges.
A Government in Transition
Even as the military mourns its losses, the political machinery in Caracas has been forced to adapt. Following the vacuum left by Maduro’s forced removal, Venezuela’s Supreme Court moved rapidly on Sunday:
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Acting President: Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been directed to “immediately” assume the post of acting president.
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Administrative Continuity: Rodriguez is expected to oversee the day-to-day operations of the state, though Trump has already stated the U.S. intends to “run the country” until a transition he deems “safe and proper” can occur.
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Military Support: For now, the upper echelons of the Venezuelan military, led by Padrino López, appear to be backing Rodriguez as the constitutional successor while simultaneously calling for Maduro’s return.
Comparing the Initial Reports of the Raid
| Category | U.S. Administration Statement | Venezuelan Defense Ministry |
| Objective | Law Enforcement / Fugitive Capture | Illegal Kidnapping / Sovereignty Breach |
| U.S. Casualties | “Some injured,” zero killed. | Not addressed. |
| VZ Casualties | Not specified; framed as “successful.” | “A large part of the security team “murdered.” |
| Legal Status | Legal indictment in the NY District. | Violation of International Law. |
A Tense Standoff
As the sun sets on a transformed Caracas, the presence of U.S. troops remains a volatile variable. Trump’s assertion that U.S. forces are prepared to assert control on the ground to “get the oil flowing” has put the Venezuelan military on high alert. Padrino López’s speech served as both a eulogy for the fallen and a warning that, despite the loss of their leader, the “Bolivarian” spirit of the military remains intact.