Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has
announced the creation of a special commission aimed at securing the release of
former president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their
removal from power by United States forces in Caracas.
The announcement was made on Sunday, with Rodríguez
naming National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yvan
Gil as co-chairs of the commission. Information Minister Freddy Ñáñez was also
appointed as a member.
Maduro, who is wanted by US authorities on allegations
of drug trafficking and terrorism, was arrested on Saturday and flown to New
York. He is expected to appear in court on Monday.
In a separate message posted on Telegram, Rodríguez
called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship between Venezuela and the
United States, stressing that dialogue and cooperation are vital for mutual
development.
“We see it as a priority to move toward a balanced and
respectful relationship between Venezuela and the United States,” she said,
while inviting Washington to engage Caracas on a shared agenda for cooperation.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s military has formally
recognised Rodríguez as the country’s acting president. Defence Minister
Vladimir Padrino López said the armed forces were supporting a Supreme Court
decision that appointed her to lead the country for an initial 90-day period.
Padrino also urged citizens to return to normal
economic, work and academic activities after the US military operation that
resulted in Maduro’s capture.
“The nation must continue on its constitutional path,”
he said.
However, the defence minister strongly condemned the
US action, describing it as a “cowardly kidnapping,” and claimed that some of
Maduro’s bodyguards, along with military personnel and civilians, were killed
during the operation.
Authorities have not yet released an official death
toll.
As of Sunday, large areas of Caracas remained calm but
subdued, with many businesses shut and only limited activity observed in
markets and pharmacies as uncertainty continued to grip the capital.
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