Venezuelan vice president demands proof of life for Maduro
Venezuelan vice president demands proof of life for Maduro

Senior Venezuelan officials on Saturday forcefully rejected U.S. claims that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured by American special forces, demanding proof of life and mobilizing the country’s military amid escalating tensions.

Speaking on state-run television, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government had received no verified information confirming Maduro’s detention. In a phone interview broadcast nationwide, Rodríguez demanded that Washington provide proof of life and the location of the Venezuelan leader following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

“We demand proof of life for President Nicolás Maduro and clarity on his whereabouts,” Rodríguez said, accusing the United States of spreading unverified information as part of a broader campaign of aggression.

Her remarks came as uncertainty spread across Venezuela after overnight explosions and reports of U.S. military strikes near Caracas. Despite U.S. assertions, Venezuelan state media continued broadcasting government messaging, and officials insisted the country’s leadership remained intact.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced the deployment of military forces nationwide, calling for unity and calm in what he described as “the worst aggression ever” against Venezuela. In a video posted to social media, Padrino López said all branches of the armed forces were mobilizing to defend national sovereignty.

Notably, the defense minister made no reference to Maduro’s alleged capture, instead stating that the deployments were being carried out under Maduro’s orders. “They’ve attacked us, but they will not subdue us,” he said, urging Venezuelans not to give in to panic or disorder.

The government also declared a “state of external commotion,” effectively placing the country under a state of emergency that grants expanded powers to respond to foreign threats.

Analysts say the Venezuelan leadership’s response reflects both defiance and uncertainty, as officials publicly reject U.S. claims while seeking concrete evidence. The demand for proof of life suggests internal concern over the information vacuum created by the sudden escalation.

As of Saturday afternoon, no independent international verification has confirmed Maduro’s detention. The situation remains fluid, with regional governments and global observers closely monitoring developments that could reshape Venezuela’s political future.