Venezuelan lawmaker Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of captured President Nicolas Maduro, broke down during a session of the national assembly as he spoke about the capture of his father and first lady Cilia Flores by US forces, delivering an emotional and defiant message to the legislature. Speaking in the assembly, Maduro Guerra pledged loyalty to Venezuela’s leadership, reiterated his support for interim President Delcy Rodríguez, and called for the release of what he described as “kidnapped leaders.” Addressing his father directly during the session, Guerra said Maduro has raised a strong family and everyone will do whatever their duties are towards the nation. He also expressed hope of meeting his father in the country soon. “Dad, I tell you, made all of us in the family strong people. Here we are fulfilling our duty until you return. The motherland is in good hands, Dad. And soon we are going to hug here in Venezuela. And you’re going to see the kids, Cilia you’re going to see them. Cilia, we will see each other. Long live Venezuela, long live homeland. And here we stand firm for whatever we need to do for our homeland. We love you so much…,” he said. His remarks came on the same day that Nicolás Maduro appeared before a court in New York, where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges, describing himself as “still the leader of Venezuela.”The capture has triggered international reactions and condemnation, raised questions over international law, and further intensified political tensions across Latin America, even as Venezuela’s leadership closed ranks amid the unfolding crisis.
