Venezuela’s military high command has categorically rejected calls for a military coup made over social media by opposition figure and former presidential candidate, Edmundo González, from the United States. Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López reiterated in a televised statement that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces of Venezuela will recognize President Nicolás Maduro on January 10, and “swear loyalty, obedience and subordination” to the President. The country’s far-right opposition has vowed to take power, with support from Washington and some right-wing governments of Latin America and Europe, despite its defeat in the July 28 vote.
Below is a quick translation of the Official Statement by the Ministry of Popular Power of Defense, read and signed by Minister of Defense and Head of the FANB, Vladimir Padrino López:
We have seen with profound indignation a video published last night, Sunday, January 5, by the coward Edmundo González Urrutia, addressing the Bolivarian National Armed Forces in a shameless and insolent manner; with absurd and incoherent statements that demonstrate not only ignorance regarding the institution, but also an exacerbated desperation in the face of the imminent and resounding failure of his coup plans.
The ridiculous video is broadcast precisely at the moment of arriving in the United States of America, whose government is the sponsor and maneuverer of the Venezuelan extreme right, which serves as a subterfuge to hide their cowardice and weakness, since they do not have popular support and even less the respect of the military institution, which they have repeatedly offended and scorned.
With the cynicism that characterizes him, with inappropriate words and a circus-like appearance, he refers to the peace, stability and well-being of Venezuelans, when they have systematically requested the application of economic sanctions and all kinds of Unilateral Coercive Measures, which have caused so much harm to the Venezuelan people, including military personnel and their families, who have also been the first and most numerous victims of the violence that they have been brewing for years, as part of their neo-fascist actions to destabilize the legitimate government of the country and undermine the tranquility of their own fellow citizens.
We categorically and vehemently reject this clownish and buffoonish act of despicable politicking, which will not have the slightest impact on the robust patriotic conscience of the FANB, which, in perfect popular-military-police fusion, will staunchly defend the Constitution and the laws of the nation, as well as its freedom, sovereignty and independence. Let the whole world know! On January 10, 2025, we will ratify our unwavering commitment to Venezuelan democracy; and we will recognize citizen Nicolás Maduro Moros as Constitutional President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, reelected for the period 2025-2031; to whom, as our Commander in Chief, we will solemnly swear loyalty, obedience and subordination.
We are the children of the United Liberation Army. Don’t be mistaken about us. For Bolivar and Chávez, we will win!
Chavez Lives!… The Homeland Continues! Independence and Socialist Homeland!… We Will Live and Win! The Sun of Venezuela Rises in the Essequibo! Independence or Nothing!… Always Loyal… Never Traitors!
Caracas, January 6, 2025
Vladimir Padrino Lopez
General in Chief
