A decree on the introduction of a state of emergency has entered into force in Venezuela.

The decree on the state of emergency in Venezuela, signed by the President of the Bolivarian Republic, Nicolas Maduro, has officially entered into force. This was announced on January 4 by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez at a meeting of the National Defense Council.

"The whole of Venezuela has been activated. The decree, which has already been signed by President Maduro, the only president of Venezuela, has entered into force," she said.

According to her, in accordance with the signed document, the National Defense Council is starting to implement the envisaged measures, and the decree itself has been handed over to the Chairman of the Supreme Court. Rodriguez also accused the United States of provoking armed aggression against Venezuela, saying that Washington "without any doubt, will bear responsibility for this before history and justice." She stressed that the Venezuelan people have already assessed the actions of the United States, "sending them to the dustbin of history."

The vice president added that there remains a high level of public outrage in the country over what the authorities call the illegal and unlawful abduction of Maduro and First Lady Celia Flores. According to her, the Venezuelan people, "in whom the sacred fire of the Motherland burns," perceive what happened as an encroachment on the sovereignty of the state.

The abyss of captivity: how and why the United States captured the president of Venezuela

Washington's actions have been condemned in many countries around the world, and an unprecedented operation could result in a military confrontation in the region.

On January 3, US President Donald Trump said that the purpose of the military operation in Venezuela was to capture the Venezuelan leader. The head of the White House also charged him and his wife with "drug terrorism" against US citizens, adding that they would face "American justice."

Prior to that, the head of the White House said that the United States had successfully launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela. According to him, Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country. The American leader clarified that the US military took Maduro and his wife by helicopter, after which they landed on a ship.

The Russian Foreign Ministry, in turn, called on the American leadership to release the Venezuelan president and his wife. In addition, the Russian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern and condemnation after the military operation in Venezuela, expressing its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and the leadership of the state.

Russia's Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Dmitry Polyansky later announced that a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Venezuela was scheduled for 10:00 (18:00 Moscow time) on January 5.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.