Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez delivered a resolute address on Thursday, emphatically declaring that the South American nation remains unsubjugated despite recent military actions by the United States that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking at a solemn ceremony held at the National Guard Military Academy in Caracas, Rodríguez honored both military personnel and civilians who suffered casualties during the January 3rd incursion. Her speech represented Venezuela’s first official response to the weekend operation that dramatically escalated tensions between the two nations.
“Our homeland maintains its absolute autonomy and independence notwithstanding foreign military aggression,” Rodríguez asserted before assembled troops and dignitaries. “There was no capitulation during these attacks. Our forces engaged in combat—combat for our sovereign nation, combat honoring the legacy of our liberators.”
The acting president’s address struck a defiant tone, directly countering narratives of Venezuelan submission to American pressure. She emphasized that the country’s institutions remained functional and that the chain of command had been preserved despite the capture of its head of state.
Rodríguez’s appearance at the military academy served both commemorative and strategic purposes, demonstrating governmental continuity while rallying military support during a period of heightened geopolitical tension. The ceremony recognized those killed and wounded in what Venezuelan authorities have characterized as an unlawful violation of their territorial sovereignty.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas, potentially setting the stage for further international diplomatic confrontations and raising questions about the future of bilateral relations between the Western Hemisphere nations.