Much of Maduros Security Team Killed in US Action, Venezuela Defense Minister Says

A destroyed anti-aircraft unit at La Carlota military air base in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 3, 2026. Leonardo Fernandez/ReutersA significant portion of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro’s security team was killed in the U.S. operation that led to the leader’s capture, Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino López in a news conference on Sunday.While López didn’t provide a figure of the casualties, he backed the Venezuelan Supreme Court declaration that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is interim president and said armed forces were activated across the country.