STORY: Venezuela will resist the presence of foreign troops, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video early on Saturday, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and was being removed from the country.

A U.S. attack on the country in the early morning struck civilian areas, Padrino said, and Venezuela is compiling information about dead and injured people.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: UNKNOWN LOCATION, VENEZUELA (JANUARY 3, 2026) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN DEFENCE MINISTER VLADIMIR PADRINO SAYING:

"The national armed forces of the Bolivarian nation informs the whole world that in early hours of the morning today 3rd of January the Venezuelan nation has been the target

2. WHITE FLASH