Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, denounced on Tuesday the US aggression perpetrated on January 3 and the illegal kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, reaffirming national sovereignty and popular resistance against the violation of international law by the Donald Trump administration.

Rodríguez stated that Venezuela remains firm and active in defending its homeland, extending recognition to the martyrs who gave their lives in defense of the country against what she described as a “criminal attack.” The acting president also condemned the “illegal, violating, and transgressing international law” outcome of the presidential couple’s kidnapping.

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Rodríguez highlighted that the day before, President Maduro declared himself a prisoner of war before a New York court, insisting that both he and Flores are innocent and decent people whose immunity as heads of state was unjustly violated, completely disregarding international law and Venezuelan law.

The acting president indicated that Venezuela is going through a “painful path” due to the aggression it has suffered, unprecedented in the history of the country and South America. However, she emphasized that the Venezuelan people remain active and in the streets: “Right now, the women of Venezuela are marching for peace in our country, marching to demand the freedom of our hero, President Maduro, and the First Lady.”

“This is a people that does not surrender, a people that does not give up,” she declared, underscoring that the Venezuelan government governs the country without the intervention of external agents, consolidating popular power.

In an economic review, Rodríguez highlighted the “extraordinary figures” with which Venezuela closed 2025 for the agri-food sector, projecting positive results for 2026. This sector, fundamental to the country, experienced 8.12% growth. More specifically, the plant sector grew by 10.37% and contributed significantly to GDP, the livestock sector by 9%, the meat sector by 10.21% (with a significant contribution from buffalo meat and milk), and the fishing sector by 5%.

These figures, described as extraordinary, culminate in the country’s full supply and the highest reserves in 20 years, guaranteeing food for 111 days. Finally, Rodríguez announced the establishment of the Agri-food General Staff, headed by the new Vice President for the Economy, Calixto Ortega.

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