Seven-day mourning declared in Venezuela after US strike, Delcy Rodriguez seeks Maduro’s return

CARACAS: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez on Tuesday (local time) announced seven days of national mourning following the deaths reported during the recent US attack in Caracas and capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduru and his wife, CNN reported.

Speaking to the state broadcaster, Rodriguez said the mourning period was being declared to honour those who lost their lives during the operation, CNN reported. “I have made the decision to decree seven days of mourning in honour and glory to the young men and women who died, who gave their lives defending Venezuela, defending President Nicolas Maduro”, she said.

Rodriguez also called for the return of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are currently in US custody at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York. The couple pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges related to drugs and weapons.

#Venezuela‘s Interim President #DelcyRodriguez declares seven days of mourning for the victims of the #US attack, who defended deposed president #NicolasMaduro and his wife #CiliaFlores. “To them, our recognition,” says Rodriguez. pic.twitter.com/uF1QMdOHiU

— ShanghaiEyeofficial (@ShanghaiEye) January 7, 2026

“There is no war here because we are not at war. We are a people, a country of peace, that was aggressed and attacked,” Rodriguez added. Earlier, she also said that no foreign agent is running Venezuela and that the government of Venezuela is the only one in charge of the country after Trump claimed that he needed full access to Venezuela.

“The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no one else. There is no foreign agent governing Venezuela”, Rodriguez said. The Venezuelan government has not released an official death toll from the US operation. However, the country’s attorney general said three officials have been appointed to investigate what he described as the “dozens” of deaths.

On Sunday, the Cuban government said that 32 Cuban nationals were killed during the US action, CNN reported. Rodriguez, who was sworn in on Monday as the temporary replacement for ousted president Nicolas Maduro, said Venezuela’s sovereignty remained intact despite foreign pressure. “There is no external agent governing Venezuela,” she said in a televised address.

Her comments came as US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that Venezuela’s interim authorities would transfer between 30 and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States. Trump said the oil would be sold at market price, with the funds controlled by him to ensure they benefit both countries.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I am pleased to announce that the Interim Authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 MILLION Barrels of High Quality, Sanctioned Oil, to the United States of America. This Oil will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan, immediately. It will be taken by storage ships, and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

Rodriguez’s statement came amid growing pressure from the Trump administration, which has demanded cooperation from Caracas, including access to Venezuela’s oil resources. (ANI)