Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 35 martyrs, 75 injured in occupation targeting of civilians seeking food aid in Rafah, Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
Da Silva: What is happening in Gaza is not a war, it is a genocide
Da Silva: Even the Jewish people do not want this war; it is revenge by a government against the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state
Brazilian President Lula da Silva: What we are seeing is not a war between two armies. [What we have is a] completely professional army that is killing women and children in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We affirm our readiness to immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations to reach an agreement on the points of contention
Hamas: We welcome the continued Qatari and Egyptian efforts to end the war waged by the Zionist occupation against our people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces blew up Noura Al-Kaabi Hospital, designated for kidney dialysis patients, in the northern Gaza Strip
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli drone targets a car on the Ayta al-Shaab-Debel road in southern Lebanon
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The remaining airlines that have not yet complied with the ban are urged to take this into serious consideration to ensure the safety of their aircraft and passengers
Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesperson Yahya Saree: The YAF, after successfully imposing a partial ban on air traffic at Lydd Airport, are now working to impose a full ban on air traffic at the aforementioned airport in the coming period

Venezuela military affirms loyalty to Maduro amid Gonzalez coup calls

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jan 2025
  • 2 Shares
5 Min Read

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces reiterate their allegiance to President Nicolas Maduro amid a false Western narrative about the presidential election.

Listen
  • x
  • In this April 13, 2018, file photo, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, center right face obscured, accompanies Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro as they arrive in Caracas, Venezuela (AP)
    In this April 13, 2018, file photo, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, center right face obscured, accompanies Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro as they arrive in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP)

Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino Lopez denounced far-right opposition figure and former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez on Monday, following a video in which Gonzalez tacitly sought the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) backing to obstruct President Nicolas Maduro's upcoming inauguration.

In a strongly worded press conference, Padrino Lopez rejected what he described as an "absurd and incoherent" appeal from Gonzalez, who he accused of ignorance, desperation, and attempts to destabilize Venezuela's democratic order. The defense minister's statement directly addressed a video Gonzalez had published the previous night, shortly after arriving in the United States.

"His cowardly and insolent address to the FANB demonstrates not only his ignorance about the institution but also his desperation in the face of his coup plans' inevitable failure," Padrino Lopez said. He further criticized Gonzalez over his aligning with foreign powers to undermine Venezuela's sovereignty, specifically pointing to the US government's support for opposition factions.

Opposition promoting sanctions

The minister highlighted the adverse effects of international sanctions promoted by opposition figures, describing them as harmful to the Venezuelan people, including military personnel and their families.

"These sanctions have caused significant harm, with the FANB being among the primary victims of the violence fomented as part of these neo-fascist actions to destabilize the legitimate government," he added.

Padrino Lopez reaffirmed the FANB's unwavering loyalty to Venezuela's constitution and government, emphasizing their role in defending the nation's freedom, sovereignty, and independence. He dismissed Gonzalez's efforts as "clownish politicking" and asserted the military's continued support for Maduro's leadership.

"On January 10, 2025, we will reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Venezuelan democracy and recognize Nicolas Maduro as the constitutional president for the 2025–2031 term," the statement declared.

The defense minister concluded with a rallying cry invoking the legacy of national heroes Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez: "For Bolivar and Chavez, we shall prevail! The homeland continues! Independence and Socialist homeland! Independence or Nothing!"

Venezuela breaks diplomatic relations with Paraguay

In a related context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela announced Monday the decision to break diplomatic relations with the Republic of Paraguay.

Related News

'Israel' kills 75 Palestinians near US Gaza 'aid centers'

White House reportedly pauses new US sanctions on Iran amid talks: WSJ

The statement said the Venezuelan government proceeded to the immediate withdrawal of its personnel from the South American nation after the demonstrations of the Paraguayan president Santiago Peña to continue the "ridiculous adventure of Guaido 2.0, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs categorically rejected the statements of the Paraguayan president, which are "totally disrespectful of international law and the principle of non-intervention."

It added that Peña “is repeating a failed practice reminiscent of the political fantasies of the now defunct Lima Group" and that his actions represent a “reissue of strategies without political, legal or social support, which have demonstrated their resounding failure.”

Likewise, Venezuela rejects that governments such as Paraguay continue to subordinate their foreign policy to the interests of foreign powers and dedicate themselves to promoting destabilizing agendas that threaten the democratic principles of free peoples.

In this sense, the Bolivarian nation reiterated its commitment to the essential principles of the United Nations Charter: the defense of democracy, peace, and self-determination of peoples.

“No buffoonery instructed by international fascism will be able to bend the will of a people firm in the construction of its own destiny," the statement concluded, 

National Assembly chief pledges to prosecute Gonzalez

The National Assembly of Venezuela re-elected Jorge Rodriguez Gomez yesterday as its president for the 2025-2026 legislative term, supported by an overwhelming majority.

The session commenced with Rodriguez formally declaring his victory, citing the presence of the necessary quorum and introducing special foreign guests, indigenous community representatives, and newly elected Justices of the Peace. The event marked the beginning of the fifth term of office for the assembly.

Speaking on the issue of opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez, Rodriguez underlined that Caracas is "obligated to apply the law to Edmundo Gonzalez," stressing that if he were to set foot on Venezuelan soil, "We will arrest him on charges of treason and usurpation of power."

Gonzalez, who fled the country following an arrest warrant, revealed on Saturday that he plans to speak with outgoing US President Joe Biden.

Speaking from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he met with President Javier Milei, Gonzalez Urrutia mentioned that he was traveling to the US on Sunday, though the exact timing of his conversation with Biden remained unclear.

"We are planning a conversation with President Biden and we are waiting for details regarding the new authorities," he said, referring to the incoming US administration under President Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20.

Gonzalez Urrutia’s meeting with Milei marked the beginning of a regional tour aimed at garnering international support for what Venezuela's opposition regards as the legitimate president-elect.

The visit came just days before Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to be sworn in for a third term in Caracas.

  • Venezuela
  • United States
  • Nicolas Maduro

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam meets with US envoy Morgan Ortagus in Beirut on April 5, 2025 (Dalati Nohra via AP)AP)

Morgan Ortagus to exit US role in Lebanon amid policy shift

  • Politics
  • 1 Jun 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Russia-Ukraine peace talks resume in Istanbul amid escalating war
Europe

Ukraine, Russia head for Istanbul talks as battles rage, cmdr. resigns

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood
Asia Pacific

Australia urged to join Macron-led push for Palestinian statehood

‘Israel’ lost international legitimacy for war on Gaza: Israeli media
Palestine

‘Israel’ lost 'international legitimacy' for Gaza war: Israeli media

MSF Chief: US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza ‘Dehumanising’
Politics

US-Israeli aid plan in Gaza used as tool for forced displacement: MSF

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS