03.01.2026 13:41
Following Trump's announcement of the capture of Maduro and his wife, Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated that they did not know where Maduro and Cilia Flores were, demanding "urgent evidence" that they were alive.
After U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been "captured," the Venezuelan government made a statement.
"ABOUT THEIR SURVIVAL..."
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated in an announcement to state television that the government does not know where Maduro and Flores are. Rodriguez said, "We demand urgent evidence that President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores are alive."
THE OPERATION WAS CARRIED OUT BY DELTA FORCE UNIT
U.S. officials speaking to CBS News reported that the operation to capture Maduro was organized by Delta Force, one of the elite units of the U.S. military.
ATTENTION TURNED TO VENEZUELA'S UNDERGROUND WEALTH
Following the attacks, thoughts turned to the underground wealth found in Venezuela. Venezuela holds a significant position in terms of global resource wealth with its vast gold reserves and oil fields. After the nationalization of the gold sector, the Venezuelan government aims to restructure its economy to control its underground wealth more effectively. The enormous gold deposits hidden in Venezuela's depths are filled not only with energy but also with the most valuable minerals. The pearl of Latin America, Venezuela, has turned into a treasure closely monitored by the U.S. Venezuela is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of underground resources.
1 YEAR GOLD PRODUCTION IN THE RANGE OF 40 TONS
With its vast wealth, Venezuela has become a treasure that the U.S. has set its sights on. According to the World Gold Council's country reports, in recent years (2023–2024), Venezuela's total gold production has been reported in the range of 20-40 tons/year. According to the balance sheet of the Central Bank of Venezuela, the amount of gold held in the country's reserves was reported to be approximately 53 tons by the end of 2024.
CRITICAL POSITION IN GEOPOLITICAL TERMS
Venezuela, which stands out for its vast underground wealth in Latin America, has been in a critical position in Washington's geopolitical calculations for years. The warships sent by the U.S. to the Caribbean and Pacific under the pretext of combating drug trafficking are closely monitored by the global public due to the increased military tension in the region. High-ranking officials, including Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, describe this move by the U.S. as an attempt to eye Venezuela's underground resources.
FIRST IN PROVEN OIL RESERVES
Venezuela, one of the first countries that comes to mind when oil is mentioned, is known not only for the energy resources beneath its land but also for its underground wealth consisting of the world's most valuable minerals. According to data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Venezuela's daily oil production is expected to average around 1 million barrels by 2025. Venezuela ranks first in the world with 303.2 billion barrels of proven oil reserves. The oil extracted, especially around the Orinoco Belt and Lake Maracaibo in the western and central regions of the country, forms the foundation of the Venezuelan economy.
17.5 BILLION DOLLARS INCOME FROM OIL EXPORTS
According to data from the Venezuelan State Oil Company (PDVSA), the country earned approximately 17.5 billion dollars from oil exports in 2024.