He defense ministerVladimir Padrino López, assured that It was “unfeasible” to use Venezuelan aircraft during the military operation carried out by the United States on January 3which culminated in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were later transferred to New York.
From the telepresence room of the Strategic Operational Command in Caracas, Padrino López recognized the air supremacy of the US forcesstating that more than 150 aircraft were flying over Venezuelan airspace during the incursion.
“I saw first-hand the pilots ready, suited to go into combat, of course, with air supremacy, well There were more than 150 aircraft in our airspace, of course it was unfeasible to take out a plane”he declared.
Padrino López: It was sending the pilots to their death
The minister maintained that ordering an air response would have meant a suicidal action for the members of the National Armed Forces.
“It was sending some pilots to death and suicide,” he said, justifying the decision not to directly confront the American operation.
Padrino López, who in the past had publicly challenged Washington, stated that the military assessment prioritized avoiding a massacre and containing a further escalation after Maduro’s capture.
During his speech, held within the framework of the 34th anniversary of the failed coup d’état of February 4, 1992, Padrino López announced the beginning of an internal investigation into “all the events” that occurred during the early hours of January 3when the so-called Operation Absolute Resolution was executed.
However, the minister did not offer details about the scope of the investigations nor did he suggest that those responsible within the Armed Forces were being sought. On the contrary, he assured that The investigation will serve to “adjust” the transformation plans of the defense systemknown as the 7T plan, promoted by Maduro before his capture.
Defense of military action and rejection of betrayal
Padrino López ruled out that the operation had significant betrayals within the military institutionexcept—as he said—isolated cases of soldiers who “wanted to gain prominence.”
He vindicated the actions of the Armed Forces during the attack on Caracas and its surroundings, ensuring that the troops remained loyal and prepared to act.
“The pilots were ready to go into combat,” he reiterated.
The Minister of Defense is among the Venezuelan officials requested by US justice, accused of conspiracy to distribute cocaine on board aircraft registered in the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is offering a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
