The number of fatalities from the U.S. bombings and the operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has risen to 80 people, according to an unofficial figure cited this Sunday by the newspaper The New York Times.
"The number of deaths from Saturday's attack has risen to 80, including civilians and members of the security forces," according to a senior Venezuelan official, who warned that the figure could continue to grow as verifications progress.
The deaths occurred during the bombings and the military operation that culminated in the capture of Maduro, in an action that shook Caracas and other regions of the country and provoked mixed reactions both inside and outside of Venezuela.
Hours earlier, the U.S. media reported that at least 40 people had died as a result of the attack, referring to preliminary information.
So far, the government of the South American country has not provided an official report on the number of injuries or fatalities.
This Sunday, the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, accused the United States of having "cold-bloodedly" killed members of the presidential security team, soldiers, and innocent citizens.
In a public statement, he described the events as "a brutal military aggression against our sovereignty" and asserted that it was an "unprecedented" deployment.
Padrino López reiterated that Maduro was "kidnapped" and described him as the "constitutionally elected president by the people for the period 2025/2030," while demanding his immediate release, as well as that of his wife, Cilia Flores, whose detention he deemed illegal.
He also called on the international community to closely observe what is happening in the country.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the minister urged the population to resume normal daily activities, including academic ones, while the Venezuelan government continues to denounce foreign military intervention and the human impact of the attacks.
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