Nicolas Maduro’s son and a sitting congressman, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, on Sunday called on Venezuelans to take to the streets following his father’s removal from power by US forces and his transfer to detention in New York.
In a defiant audio message shared on social media, Maduro Guerra said, “You will see us in the streets, you will see us by people’s sides, you will see us fly the flag of dignity.” His aides later confirmed the authenticity of the recording.
Rejecting any perception of weakness, he added, “They want us to appear weak, but we will not show weakness.” Maduro Guerra is one of six individuals accused by US authorities of “narcoterrorism,” alongside his father and stepmother, Cilia Flores.
The swift and coordinated operation that led to Maduro’s capture in Caracas and his immediate transfer out of Venezuela has fueled speculation that the former president may have been betrayed from within his inner circle. Reflecting those suspicions, his son said, “History will tell who the traitors were, history will reveal it. We will see.”
Maduro Guerra, the only biological son of the deposed leader, said he remained confident in the survival of “chavismo,” the socialist and anti-imperialist movement founded by the late Hugo Chavez. Maduro later adopted Flores’ three children from a previous relationship.
On Sunday, small groups of Maduro supporters were seen protesting in parts of Caracas, waving Venezuelan flags and holding posters bearing images of the ousted leader.
Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were taken into custody during a pre-dawn raid on Saturday and transported to New York, where they were placed in jail within hours. He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge at noon on Monday to be formally informed of the charges against him.
Following his removal, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was appointed acting president of Venezuela.
What you should know
The removal of Nicolas Maduro by US forces has triggered fresh political tension in Venezuela, with his supporters framing the move as an external assault on national sovereignty.
His son’s call for street protests signals the potential for civil unrest, even as the interim government under Delcy Rodriguez attempts to consolidate control.
With Maduro set to face US courts on narcoterrorism charges, the episode marks a dramatic escalation in Washington’s long-running confrontation with Venezuela’s socialist leadership and places the future of chavismo at a critical crossroads.
