Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced on February 5, 2026, that authorities are investigating the circumstances of a U.S. military operation on January 3 this year, which led to the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The statement, made during Venezuela's National Dignity Day commemorations, emphasized the need to "learn, evaluate, and make adjustments" to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces' modernization plans.
While Padrino Lopez did not disclose specifics about the investigation's scope, he highlighted the involvement of "extremely high technology" in the incident. The probe comes amid heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington, with analysts suggesting it could reshape Venezuela'security strategies. National Dignity Day, observed annually, marks the country's resistance to foreign intervention and domestic political shifts.
The investigation's findings are anticipated to influence both military reforms and Venezuela's diplomatic stance ahead of regional summits later this year. Observers note the timing underscores Caracas' commitment to sovereignty amid global geopolitical pressures.
