Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, said he is “fine” and “calm” following U.S. airstrikes that led to the capture of his father and stepmother Cilia FLores, while renewing calls for political mobilization, according to an audio message circulated Sunday, January 4 on social media.
Maduro was detained alongside his wife and transferred to the United States, where he is expected to be formally charged Monday in New York City on terrorism and drug trafficking counts, according to U.S. authorities. Court proceedings are scheduled to take place in federal court in Manhattan.
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, a pro-government lawmaker widely known as “Nicolasito” or “El Príncipe,” is also named in the federal indictment brought against his father and stepmother. Maduro Guerra himself faces charges in the same New York case, according to court records.
“We are fine. We are calm. You will see us in the streets, you will see us standing with the people, you will see us raising the flags of dignity. They want to see us weak. They will not see us weak,” Maduro Guerra said in the audio message.
His team confirmed the authenticity of the recording to Agence France-Presse.
“They will not be able to do it. I swear it on my life, I swear it on my father, I swear it on Cilia, that we will get through this,” he said while bursting into tears. “I am standing firm. We are standing firm, and my family is firm, strong and unbreakable.”
“The truth will come out. History will reveal who the traitors were,” he added, amid reports suggesting the presence of an alleged spy within Maduro’s inner circle.
Chavista leaders began mobilizing their supporters as early as Saturday, January 3, shortly after news broke of Maduro’s detention, urging demonstrations and public shows of loyalty to the ruling movement.
Originally published on Latin Times
