January 5, 2026 | 10:14 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The death toll from a United States military operation to abduct Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, 64, and his wife, Cilia Flores, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, has reportedly risen to around 80 people.
The victims were Venezuelan and Cuban citizens, doubling the initial estimate of about 40 deaths reported on the day of the operation.
The New York Times, as cited by Anadolu, reported that “the number of military and civilian casualties associated with the U.S. attack has increased to around 80 people.”
Quoting a senior Venezuelan official, the newspaper said the figure could rise further.
Some of those killed were Cuban nationals who were reportedly guarding Maduro at close range. Venezuelan authorities have also acknowledged that the scale of damage caused by the operation was greater than initially estimated.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said most members of Maduro’s security team were killed during the attack, although he did not provide an exact figure.
In a speech delivered on the same day, Padrino stated that “most of Maduro’s security team was killed in the U.S. military attack.”
In a separate televised address reported by Anadolu, Padrino accused U.S. military personnel involved in the operation of “cold-bloodedly murdering a large part of (Maduro's) security team, soldiers, and innocent citizens.”
He also described Maduro as the country’s “authentic and legitimate” leader.
Padrino’s remarks came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump said that American military action on Saturday resulted in the abduction of Maduro and his wife. Trump also pledged to enforce American control over Venezuela for the time being, using U.S. forces if necessary.
Trump accused Maduro of overseeing drug shipments to the United States and of holding power illegitimately through election fraud. Maduro, who is currently being held at a detention facility in New York on drug-related charges, has denied the accusations. Officials in Caracas have also called for his release.
Padrino reiterated demands for the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, urging the international community to pay closer attention to the situation in Venezuela.
“We demand that the world pay close attention to everything that is happening against Venezuela, against its sovereignty and Constitution,” he said.
Following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces, the Venezuelan Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency “immediately.” Padrino said the military had expressed its support for Rodríguez.
“We fully support the Decree of State of External Emergency throughout the national territory, which was previously signed,” he added.
Padrino also said the armed forces would continue to use “all their available capabilities” to ensure security, maintain internal order, and preserve peace across the country.
Read: Maduro and Wife to Face US Court After Military Kidnapping
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's Stock Market Opens Higher Amid U.S.-Venezuela Tensions
8 menit lalu
Indonesia's Composite Stock Price Index (IHSG) rose 30.60 points, or 0.35 percent, to 8,778.73 amid U.S. military action in Venezuela.
Venezuela Oil Exports Paralyzed After US Attack
20 menit lalu
The export of oil from Venezuela has been paralyzed amid the United States (US)' attack on the country
Concerns Raised Over Legality of Maduro's Seizure
4 jam lalu
The United States' sudden capture and removal of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro likely broke international law, according to experts.
What's Next for Venezuela Oil After US Ousts Maduro?
11 jam lalu
US President Donald Trump says now that Nicolas Maduro is gone, more US oil companies will enter Venezuela.
Trump Unveils More Details About Maduro's Abduction
13 jam lalu
Trump has revealed more details about Venezuela's Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores' abduction. They reportedly tried to get inside a safe room.
Malaysia, China Call on U.S. to Release Venezuela's Maduro
15 jam lalu
Malaysia and China are pressing the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife
How U.S. Strikes Threaten Venezuela's Oil-Forward Economy
16 jam lalu
The economic impact of the U.S. attack will be directly felt through the reduction of Venezuela's oil export capacity.
Today's Top 3 News: Why Trump Wants to Push Venezuela's Maduro Out of Power
18 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
US Strikes on Venezuela Kill at Least 40, Reports Say
19 jam lalu
Senior Venezuelan official says at least 40 people have been killed in the US attack on Venezuela.
Gold Prices Poised to Rise After US Attack on Venezuela
20 jam lalu
Commodity observer Ibrahim Assuaibi predicts that the price of gold could rise to Rp 2,610,000 per gram next week.
