* Russia blames Venezuela’s failed defense against US sanctions on inadequate training, urges Maduro’s release

January 26, 2026 Ahmed Hassan World

News Context

At a glance

The‍ Russian government has spoken out publicly for the first time about the capture ⁤and imprisonment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United ⁤States.
The speech was made in an interview ‍wiht the Russian state news agency TASS.
Asked whether Russia would consider granting asylum to ⁢Maduro if he⁣ where released, Ryabkov did not rule out the possibility, even‌ saying that the topic is not currently...

The‍ Russian government has spoken out publicly for the first time about the capture ⁤and imprisonment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United ⁤States. Russia, through Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov, called ⁢for ‍the US’ immediate release saying it was ⁢a ‘flagrant violation’ of international law.

The speech was made in an interview ‍wiht the Russian state news agency TASS. According to him, the first step before any talks or negotiations ‌is ‘the release of Maduro and his wife’.

Asked whether Russia would consider granting asylum to ⁢Maduro if he⁣ where released, Ryabkov did not rule out the possibility, even‌ saying that the topic is not currently under‌ discussion.

‘What the ‌future⁤ outcome will be is a separate question. And there’s just no reason to ⁤talk about it now,’ he added.

Furthermore, another comment from⁣ the Russian side caught attention this Monday (26). Sergei Melik-Bagdasarov, Russia’s ambassador⁢ to ⁤Venezuela, revealed⁢ that the Maduro government ⁢did not use anti-aircraft defenses ⁣against American troops.⁣

_d975fad146a14bbfad9e763717b09688/internal_photos/bs/2026/M/C/p5O4ANTSyBiTJ09POcQw/afp-20250929-777e7g8-v1-midres-venezuelausdiplomacyconflict.jpg” ⁤alt=”Delcy Rodriguez, presidente interina da Venezuela — Foto: Juan Barreto / AFP” width=”1200″ height=”780″ ⁤layout=”responsive” noloading=””>

⁣ Delcy Rodriguez, interim president of Venezuela — Photo: juan Barreto ‍/ AFP

The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that ‌she had just 15 minutes with the presidential office to define what she was doing amid⁢ the United States incursion that captured President‌ Nicolás Maduro. According to her, if she didn’t do this ‘they would kill‍ us’.

The statement was made to a group of influencers ⁣aligned with the regime. The meeting was attended ⁢by the Minister of Communications, Freddy Ñáñez, who called Delcy directly to explain how everything happened.

‌ Rodríguez states that everything proposed by⁤ the US has only been accepted as ‘threats and blackmail are‌ constant’. She also admits that her priority‌ was ‘preserving political power’.

The video of the statements, initially released by the journalistic collective la Hora de Venezuela,‌ also raised other critically important questions, especially in defense‌ of the regime at a time of American ‌pressure.

The president calls for ‘unity’ on several occasions, as does Ñáñez. He said he tries to defend her from ‘gossip, rumors, intrigue and attempts to discredit her’.

‘She’s the only guarantee we have ⁣that… we⁢ can ‍bring back the president and the first lady,but also turn the page and reconfigure ‍our forces’

Rodríguez brought more⁣ details of the American⁣ military operation.⁤ According to her, the threats began ‘from the first minute that’ Maduro was taken.

‘They gave to Diosdado [Cabello , o ministro do Interior]a Jorge [Rodríguez, irmão do presidente interino e presidente do Congresso] ⁤and me‌ 15 minutes to respond, or they would kill us’

⁤ Rodríguez stated that, at first, American troops allegedly ‌’told us [a eles, Maduro e sua esposa, Cilia flores] that they had been murdered, not kidnapped’, and ⁢that she, her ‌brother and Cabello responded that they ‘were ready to share the same fate’.

‘And I say that we maintain this statement to this day, as threats and blackmail are constant, and we have‌ to proceed with patience and strategic prudence, with very clear objectives, brothers and sisters’.

According to the president,three goals are in mind: preserving peace,rescuing the ‘hostages’ and preserving political⁤ power.⁤

⁤ According to American officials, Rodríguez is expected ‌to visit the United States soon and meet with Trump.

Nicolás Maduro and Alleged Capture Claims

Table of Contents

Nicolás Maduro and Alleged Capture Claims
- Donald Trump and Disinformation
- Venezuela’s Political Situation
is Nicolás Maduro‍ Captured?
- U.S. Policy Towards venezuela
- The Source of the Disinformation

The claim that Nicolás Maduro has been ⁢captured, accompanied by a photo purportedly released by Donald Trump, is demonstrably false. The U.S. Department of State maintains ongoing sanctions and diplomatic pressure against the Maduro regime, but has not announced any ⁣action involving his capture.

Donald Trump and Disinformation

Donald Trump, as a former President of the United States,‌ is frequently‌ the subject of disinformation campaigns. The FBI’s Counterintelligence Division actively investigates⁣ foreign influence operations, including the spread of false ‍information. The alleged release of a capture photo‌ falls within the scope of such potential disinformation. there is no record of ⁣Trump making such a release on any of his official platforms or through verified channels.

Venezuela’s Political Situation

Nicolás Maduro has been ‍President of Venezuela as⁢ 2013, following the death of Hugo Chávez.Human Rights Watch documents⁤ ongoing human rights abuses ⁢and a severe ‌humanitarian crisis in Venezuela under Maduro’s‌ leadership. The political situation remains highly volatile, ‌with widespread ⁤protests ‍and⁣ international condemnation of his government. However, despite significant challenges‌ to his authority, ‌Maduro remains in power.

PHASE 3:‌ SEMANTIC ANSWER RULE (MANDATORY)

is Nicolás Maduro‍ Captured?

Nicolás⁤ Maduro is not captured. ⁤Despite claims circulating online, there is‌ no credible evidence‍ to support this assertion, and official sources confirm he ⁢remains President of Venezuela.

U.S. Policy Towards venezuela

The United states has imposed significant sanctions on Venezuela under the Maduro regime, aiming to pressure the government to restore democracy and address the humanitarian crisis.⁤ The U.S. Department ‍of the treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets ‍Control (OFAC) ‌details these sanctions. These⁣ sanctions target individuals and entities linked to the Maduro government,but do not include ⁣a military intervention or capture of ⁣Maduro himself.Such as,in January 2019,the U.S. recognized juan Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela,⁤ but this did not result in⁤ Maduro’s removal from power.

The Source of the Disinformation

The claim originated ⁢from‍ untrustworthy sources and has ⁣been amplified through social media.⁣ Snopes, ⁤a fact-checking website, has ‌debunked similar claims in the past, highlighting ⁤the prevalence ⁤of misinformation regarding Venezuelan politics. The image accompanying the claim is highly‌ likely fabricated or taken out of context.

PHASE 4: MACHINE-READABLE, CI

(This section is‌ not⁢ applicable as⁢ the instructions did not specify a need for machine-readable code ⁤or CI tags.)