Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López says in a televised speech that he and the military support Delcy Rodríguez as the country's interim leader.
Rodriguez was Nicolás Maduro's vice president and was ordered late Saturday by the country's Supreme Court to become interim leader for 90 days after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Padrino López announced in his speech that a large part of Maduro's security guards were killed when the president was abducted, an act he called "a vile kidnapping."
He also urged the population to resume “all their normal activities, their work and their education.”
Rodriguez has previously stated that she activated a decree that Maduro had approved, which means that she de facto has power in the country. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the United States is ready to work with Rodríguez and the Venezuelan government.
