The Minister of Defense of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino López, stated this Friday that 47 members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) died on January 3 during the attack by the United States in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
In statements broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), the official emphasized that among the deceased are nine women.
Padrino López described the attack as an aggression against a force with "technology and overwhelming resources," under "unequal" conditions against Venezuela, and stated that the fallen military personnel "gave their lives" in defense of the country.
He also recalled that, according to his count, 32 Cubans died during the same operation.
The minister assured that the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, ordered the creation of a commission to assist the families of the deceased and injured, providing support for "social and economic needs."
He also stated that a national monument is being established in honor of the fallen soldiers and that they are already working on determining the "best location" for it.
This Thursday, Delcy Rodríguez opened her speech regarding the annual management report with a minute of applause in honor of the deceased. A week ago, the Venezuelan government promoted and decorated military personnel who died during the attacks in a ceremony led by the acting president along with the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez.
Padrino López also reported on a "review and adjustment" of the FANB following the attacks on January 3.
In that context, he mentioned the Ayacucho Plan, a plan announced by Maduro in October 2024 with validity until 2030 to “consolidate military power” and ensure respect for Venezuela and the exercise of the Constitution, as explained by the government itself at that time.
The minister asked for “spiritual strength” from the military in what he referred to as “critical and painful moments,” stating that the “military honor” and “dignity” of the Armed Forces remain “intact.”
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