"The Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded the immediate release of the president Nicolas Maduro, during a press conference in Caracas on Saturday. Her comments came after the capture of Venezuelan leader and his wife by Washington during a military operation in the Caribbean country. "We demand the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife," she stated, adding that Maduro is the "only president of Venezuela.” Rodriguez denounced that Washington's true objective is the seizure of Venezuela's mineral and natural resources, "and the world and the international community must know that this is the case.” The US launched 'large-scale' strikes on Venezuela on Saturday, with Donald Trump claiming his forces had 'captured' President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Venezuelan leader was charged with a 'narco-terrorism conspiracy', and other drugs and weapons charges. Caracas declared a national emergency, condemned 'extremely serious military aggression' and said the US was trying to "seize Venezuela's strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals". It saw widespread worldwide condemnation, including from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile and others in Latin America, as well as from BRICS nations like Russia and China. The EU and European nations called for 'international law' to be respected. Opposition leader - and controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner - Maria Machado said that her party was "ready to enforce the mandate and take power." She refused to recognise Maduro's 2024 election win, claiming her side won. It comes after weeks of US military action - 'Operation Southern Spear' - which saw tankers intercepted and strikes on alleged 'narco boats'. The US has built up a heavy military presence, including the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike group and about 15,000 personnel in the Caribbean Sea."