‘Large part’ of Maduro’s security team, ‘innocent civilians’ killed in US operation, says Venezuela’s defence minister

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said on state television that a “large part” of President Nicolás Maduro’s security team, along with soldiers and civilians, were killed during the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife.

Padrino said the armed forces “firmly reject what he described as the cowardly kidnapping” of the president, accusing the United States of carrying out a “cold-blooded murder” during the operation.

Earlier, the New York Times reported that an apartment complex was struck and that at least 40 people were killed, though it was unclear how many were civilians or military personnel. Reuters has not been able to independently verify those figures. (BBC News)