Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has asserted that the United States has launched an attack against the nation, escalating tensions between the two countries and sparking widespread uncertainty within Venezuela. In a televised phone interview broadcast early Saturday morning by state-run VTV, Rodríguez made the extraordinary claim, effectively accusing the U.S. of direct military action.
The statement, delivered with a palpable sense of urgency, fueled immediate speculation and anxiety, particularly concerning the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. Rodríguez revealed that their location is currently unknown, prompting her to issue a demand for proof of their wellbeing, a move widely interpreted as a signal of internal instability beyond a typical security precaution.
The vice president’s appeal to the Venezuelan population to take to the streets – a familiar tactic employed by the Maduro regime – further underscores the volatile situation. While presented as a call for national unity and resilience, the directive carries significant political implications, potentially serving to consolidate power through mobilised support while simultaneously diverting attention from the government’s handling of the alleged attack.
Analysts are scrutinizing Rodríguez’s claims with skepticism, highlighting a history of disinformation and propaganda emanating from the Venezuelan government. The lack of independent confirmation regarding any U.S. military involvement has led to questions about the veracity of the assertion and its strategic purpose. Some experts suggest the accusations are a calculated maneuver to deflect from mounting domestic pressures, including economic collapse and widespread protests and to potentially garner international sympathy, though the ramifications of falsely accusing a global superpower are severe.
The incident marks a perilous intensification in the already fraught relationship between Venezuela and the United States and demands an immediate and transparent investigation to ascertain the facts and prevent further escalation. The international community is watching closely, with concerns focused on the safety of Venezuelan citizens and the potential for broader regional instability.
