News Desk
CARACAS: Venezuela’s defence minister has issued a defiant message to Washington following US attacks, saying the country would not surrender and would ultimately prevail.
In a statement, defence minister Vladimir Padrino López said Venezuela would not negotiate or accept defeat, declaring that the nation would “achieve victory” despite mounting pressure from the United States. “We will not give up,” Padrino López said. “We will stand as a united nation behind a single purpose.”
He said Venezuela’s foundations were rooted in peace but insisted the country would continue to fight for its freedom. “We have always extended our arms for humanity,” he said, adding that Venezuela would continue to defend its land and the unity of its people.
The remarks come amid dramatic claims by the US that it has carried out large-scale attacks on Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. US president Donald Trump has confirmed the operations, saying Washington had launched extensive strikes against Venezuela and its leadership.
According to US media reports, Maduro was captured by Delta Force, the US military’s elite special operations unit. The US attorney general has said Maduro and his wife face charges including narcotics trafficking, terrorism and conspiring to acquire weapons intended for use against the United States.
Washington had previously announced a $50m reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest on 7 August 2025. The developments have sharply escalated tensions between the two countries, with Caracas signaling it is preparing for prolonged confrontation rather than compromise.
