Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on Wednesday that 100 people were killed in the American attack that overthrew President Nicolas Maduro from power last Saturday, leading to his arrest and relocation along with his wife to the United States.
Cabello explained that Cilia Flores, Maduro's wife who was arrested with him, suffered head wounds during the American attack, while Maduro himself was injured in his leg.
Cabello said during his weekly TV show broadcast on national television that "Cilia was injured in her head and received a blow to her body. Comrade Nicolas was injured in his leg. Fortunately, they are both recovering from their injuries."
On Wednesday, Venezuelan forces released video clips showing the funerals of the deceased soldiers, with dozens of people crying and coffins covered with Venezuelan flags, and speeches praising the "courage, heroism, honor, and loyalty" of the dead soldiers.
Earlier, Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in on Monday, said "Concerning relations between Venezuela and the United States, the first thing to say is that there is now a stain in our relations that we have not previously seen in our history."
However, she clarified that trade with the United States "is not something unusual or irregular," after announcing that the state oil company was negotiating to sell crude oil to Washington.
Prior to that, US President Donald Trump confirmed that the interim authorities in Venezuela will deliver "between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil" to the United States, which corresponds to one to two months' production of the Latin American country.
He said on his Truth Social network: "I was just informed that Venezuela will only buy American-made products with the money it receives under the new oil deal," and explained that these purchases will particularly include agricultural products, medications, medical equipment, and materials to improve the electricity network and energy infrastructure.
Rodriguez said in her speech Wednesday evening, "Our hands are extended to all countries of the world, for relations, economic cooperation, trade, and in the field of energy."
Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Venezuelan oil during his first term, leading to a form of blockade that buyers managed to circumvent using "ghost fleet" tankers.
