Venezuela military recognizes Maduro's VP as acting president
A protester steps on a burnt mock US flag while holding a Venezuelan flag during a demonstration condemning the US attack on Venezuela and the seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, near the US embassy in Manila on January 5, 2026. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)
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Amid uncertainty following the leftist president's dramatic capture, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez appeared to throw his weight behind Rodriguez, who US President Donald Trump had earlier indicated was a figure Washington could work with.
Padrino read out a statement on television endorsing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days.
He also called on Venezuelans to get back to their daily life, speaking less than two days after the US strikes shook the capital Caracas and special forces seized Maduro and his wife.
Padrino denounced it as a "cowardly kidnapping" and said that some of Maduro's bodyguards were killed "in cold blood," as well as military personnel and civilians on the Venezuelan side.
Venezuelan authorities have not yet given an official toll for people hurt or killed in the US operations.
The streets of Caracas were deserted and quiet on Sunday, with many businesses closed and moderate queues at some markets and pharmacies.
"I call on the people of Venezuela to resume their activities of all kinds, economic, work and education, in the coming days," Padrino said.
"The homeland must follow its constitutional course."
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