According to American media reports, Cilia Flores suffered serious injuries during the US military action in Venezuela. Cilia Flores is the wife of ousted President Nicolas Maduro. His lawyer, Mark Donnelly, told Judge Alvin Hellerstein in a New York federal court that Flores may have suffered head and rib injuries during the arrest (or kidnapping, in the lawyer’s terms). The possibility of fracture or severe swelling in the ribs has been raised and the need for medical examination has been stated. Bandages were also seen on his head during his appearance in the court.
Also read – ‘I am not guilty…still the President of Venezuela’: Maduro rejected all the allegations, know what happened in the hearing
In a New York court on Monday, Cilia Flores and Nicolas Maduro both denied drug trafficking and weapons charges and pleaded innocent.
America ‘kidnapped’ my father – Guerra
On the other hand, Maduro’s son Nicolas Maduro Guerra said in the session of Venezuela’s National Assembly that his father has been ‘kidnapped’ by America. He called it a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and said that if the president of a country can be taken down like this, then no country is safe. Maduro Guerra appealed to the international community, saying global solidarity was necessary in support of his father, Cilia Flores, and Venezuela. He also said that the allegations made by America are politically motivated and his family is facing harassment.
Trying to appear free from American pressure
The Venezuelan government on Monday tried to send a message to the country and the world that Venezuela is not under US control and the government is working independently. This step was taken when over the weekend, the US took major military action and arrested President Nicolas Maduro, who ruled the country for nearly 13 years, and took him to New York.
Swearing in of Parliament, sharp statements against America
In the capital Caracas, lawmakers belonging to the ruling party held the swearing-in ceremony for the new term of the National Assembly (till 2031) as per the schedule. During this period, America’s action was strongly condemned. Maduro’s son Nicolas Maduro Guerra said in his first public speech in parliament: ‘If the kidnapping of a country’s president was normalized, no country would be safe. Today it is Venezuela, tomorrow it could be some other country. He demanded the immediate repatriation of his father and stepmother Cilia Flores to Venezuela and appealed for international support. Also, he termed making himself a co-accused in the case filed in America as a political conspiracy.
Maduro’s appearance in US court
On the other hand, Maduro appeared in the US court for the first time and denied the allegations related to drug trafficking. He described himself as an innocent and honest person. America says that he was arrested on the basis of these allegations.
America’s different voices on Venezuela
US President Donald Trump said that the US will temporarily run Venezuela, but Foreign Minister Marco Rubio made it clear that the US will not rule day-to-day, but will only enforce the sanctions on the oil industry. Rubio said efforts are being made to change policies and stop drug trafficking by putting pressure on the oil industry.
Also read – America strengthened by tariffs: Trump’s claim – Earning more than 600 billion dollars, national security is also improving
Delsey Rodriguez takes a soft stance
Meanwhile, Delsey Rodriguez, who was declared interim President, talked about maintaining respectful relations with America. He said in the statement that work on cooperation and common development can be done within the framework of international law. This statement came after Trump’s threat, in which he warned that if Americans did not accept the demands, they might have to pay a heavy price.
US embassy can reopen
A US State Department official has indicated that initial preparations have begun to reopen the US Embassy in Caracas. If the Trump administration decides, American diplomats may soon return to Venezuela.
