DETENTION DEMAND

Venezuela Begs Trump for Proof of Life of Their President

Donald Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been “captured” by the U.S.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded the U.S. provide “proof of life” for the South American country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, after Donald Trump announced he had been “captured.” In an extraordinary Truth Social post, Trump claimed the U.S. had carried out a “large-scale” attack on Venezuela and detained the left-wing dictator, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, before flying them out of the country. Speaking on Venezuelan television, Rodríguez confirmed that Maduro has been captured but said the government does not know the whereabouts of either the president or the first lady, adding: “We demand proof of life,” according to the Associated Press. It remains unclear whether Rodríguez has assumed control of Venezuela in Maduro’s absence, as required under the country’s constitution. Elsewhere, Venezuela’s defense minister, Gen. Vladimir Padrino López, accused the U.S. of launching a “criminal” regime change operation that had “desecrated our sacred land” and represents the “greatest outrage the country has ever suffered.” Trump said he will disclose further details about the military operation in Caracas and other cities—and possibly clarify Maduro’s whereabouts—during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday morning.