The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, arrested by the United States and held in New York, has underlined in his usual weekly address the wave of support received from numerous countries to assist Venezuela after the double earthquake of last June 24, which has already left almost 4,500 dead.
"We deeply appreciate the admiration and solidarity expressed by delegations, peoples, and governments of the world, who have shared their efforts in this very difficult and painful moment for the homeland," Maduro stated.
The Venezuelan leader highlighted that "the testimonies emanating from the heroic and solidary actions of the Venezuelan people in the face of the double earthquake of June 24 have amazed the world. We are a people of values, with a blessed heart, who rise to the occasion in difficulties," insisting on the image of unity and resistance shown by the population.
Likewise, he stressed that "we are a people of values, with a blessed heart, who rise to the occasion in difficulties" and emphasized the "emotion" with which he and his wife, Cilia Flores, also detained in the United States, have contemplated "the spiritual strength of families, organized communities, rescuers, doctors, firefighters, Civil Protection, the FANB, volunteers, and all those who have gone out to save, accompany, and rebuild."
In his message, Maduro resorted to a biblical reference, "If God is with us, who can be against us?" and closed his speech with the words "God will provide. Venezuela will be reborn."
The Venezuelan president was captured along with Cilia Flores on January 3 during a US military operation in which more than a hundred people died. After the incursion, both were transferred to New York, where they remain imprisoned. Both Maduro and the first lady have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, linked to alleged drug trafficking activities and a presumed conspiracy to introduce cocaine into US territory.