Venezuela's VP Delcy Rodriguez demands release of Maduro and wife, condemns 'illegitimate kidnapping' in televised speech
Updated . First published
Venezuela's executive vice president Delcy Rodriguez – the potential successor of captured president Nicolas Maduro – has demanded his release and declared the South American country will never be a US colony.
In the hours after Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were dragged from their bedrooms by US troops in a late-night military operation, Rodriguez condemned the "illegitimate kidnapping" when speaking on state television.
Rodriguez called for calm and unity, before contradicting Donald Trump's earlier claims that she had been sworn in as president of Venezuela.
READ MORE: Why is the US attacking Venezuela?
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez addressed the nation in a televised speech after Nicolas Maduro's capture. Venezuela State Television/CNN
READ MORE: US captures Venezuela's president and wife, removes them from the country
"We demand the immediate release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The only president of Venezuela is President Nicolas Maduro," Rodriguez said.
The VP said Venezuela's government was prepared to defend itself, adding that the country's defence council had been activated.
She confirmed an official government response would be expected soon.
"To our Venezuela, to our people: There is a clear government here," she said.
Rodriguez emphasised that Venezuela "will never again be anyone's colony – neither of old empires, nor of new empires, nor of empires in decline".
Rodriguez takes part in talks with the Russian Foreign Minister during in Moscow, March 1, 2019. AP
READ MORE: Who is Nicolas Maduro? From bus driver to Venezuela president
She warned other countries that what the US did to Venezuela "they can do to anyone".
"This brutal use of force to bend the will of peoples can be done to any country," she said.
Rodriguez has served as Maduro's VP since 2018.
She has been previously described by Maduro as a "tiger" due to her loyalty and strong support of his socialist government.
Trump earlier claimed that Rodriguez had already been formally established as president and was "willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again".
He also said the US would assume control of Venezuela for the time being.
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago Trump said "we're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition".
Trump confirmed Maduro's capture by posting a photo on Truth Social of Maduro, blindfolded, handcuffed, wearing a grey Nike tracksuit and holding a bottle of water on board the warship USS Iwo Jima on its way to New York.
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