Venezuela rejects presence of foreign troops, defense chief says after US strike

WASHINGTON

Venezuela rejects the presence of foreign troops, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said early Saturday after the US “successfully” carried out “a large scale strike” on the country.

"Free, independent, and sovereign Venezuela rejects with all the strength of its history of the presence of these foreign troops which have only brought death, pain and destruction in their wake," Padrino said in a video message.

His remarks came after Trump said the US "successfully" carried out a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, claiming President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been "captured and flown out of the country."

Padrino said Venezuela is gathering information regarding the injured and deceased.

"In the face of this vile and cowardly attack that threatens the peace and stability of the region, we raise the strongest denunciation before the international community and all multilateral organizations to condemn the US government for the blatant violation of the UN charter and international law," he added.