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
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba
Al-Nunu: Today, the lists of prisoners required to be released, the agreed-upon criteria and numbers, were exchanged
Al-Nunu from Sharm el-Sheikh: Negotiations focused on mechanisms for implementing an end to the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners

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

US Senate rejects Democratic funding bill amid budget deadlock

Ansar Allah renew vow to support Gaza until 'Israel' halts its war

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

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
Al-Quds Brigades strike a command and control center north of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, in an undated screengrab from the al-Quds Brigades military media

Gaza resistance announces major operations against Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Retired Israeli General Brik says Israel has reached point of no return.
Politics

Retired Israeli General Brik: 'Israel has reached point of no return'

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation
Politics

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation

Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
Health

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls
Politics

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls

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