Venezuelan Interior Ministry: 100 Killed in US Attack, Maduro and His Wife Injured

SadaNews - Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that 100 people lost their lives in the US attack that ousted President Nicolás Maduro from power on Saturday, leading to his arrest and transfer with his wife to the United States.

Cabello clarified that Cilia Flores, Maduro's wife who was arrested alongside him, sustained head injuries during the US attack, while Maduro himself was injured in the leg.

Cabello said during his weekly program broadcast on state television, "Cilia was injured in her head and received a blow to her body. As for comrade Nicolás, he was injured in his leg. Fortunately, they are recovering from their injuries."

On Wednesday, Venezuelan forces released videos of the funeral services for the slain soldiers, showing dozens of people in tears and coffins covered with Venezuelan flags, alongside speeches praising the "courage, valor, honor, and loyalty" of the fallen soldiers.

Earlier, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in on Monday, stated, "Regarding the relations between Venezuela and the United States, the first thing to say is that there is now a stain in our relations that we have not seen in our history."

However, she clarified at the same time that trade with the United States "is not something unusual or irregular," following the announcement by the state oil company of negotiations to sell crude oil to Washington.

Before that, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the interim authorities in Venezuela would deliver to the United States "between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil," which is equivalent to a month's to two months' production from the Latin American nation.

He stated on his Truth Social network: "I was just informed that Venezuela will buy only American-made products with the money it receives from the new oil deal," explaining that these purchases would include agricultural products, medicines, medical equipment, materials to improve the electricity grid, and energy infrastructure.

Rodríguez said in her speech on Wednesday evening, "Our hands are extended to all the countries of the world for relationships, economic and commercial cooperation, and in the field of energy."

Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Venezuelan oil during his first term, leading to a form of embargo that buyers were able to circumvent through "ghost fleet" tankers.