Venezuela’s VP calls on Trump to provide Maduro’s “proof of life”

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 January 2026, 13:44 by Writer

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on Saturday morning said the whereabouts of Venezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro were unknown, hours after the US bombing of the capital, Caracas, and American President Donald Trump saying the socialist leader and his wife were “captured” and taken out of the country.

“At this moment, we do not know the place in which the President, Nicolás Maduro is, along with his wife so we are demanding President Donald Trump a proof of life of President Nicolás Maduro and also the First Lady,” she said in an audio recording posted on Telesur.

And even as she was issuing such a call, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared on X “A new dawn for Venezuela! The tyrant is gone. He will now—finally—face justice for his crimes.”

Ms Rodriguez said the US President had warned of such an attack. She said the Venezuelan government demand respect for international law and condemned this “complete brutal aggression” against Venezuelans.

She reiterated that the Venezuelan President had ordered the people, police and military to “activate” the defence of their “most sacred” natural resources. “At this moment Venezuela is calm. It’s digesting a military aggression of this nature that, of course, has gone against our sovereignty, our peace, our tranquility and that has murdered in a sense,” she added.

In a post on X, the US President said Mr Maduro and his wife were “captured”. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” said Trump.

“This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said her country played no part in the US’ military operations in Venezuela. “Earlier this morning, Saturday 3rd January 2026, the United States commenced military operations within the territory of Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations,” she said.

Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela, she said.