Leaked video shows Venezuela regime’s desperate struggle to control message

Rodríguez, who spoke on speakerphone for six minutes, said it “hurt … to have to assume responsibilities in these circumstances”. ‎ ‎She then referred to the US military operation: “The threats began from the very first minute they kidnapped the president. They gave Diosdado [Cabello, the interior minister], Jorge [Rodríguez, the acting president’s brother and congressional president,] and me 15 minutes to respond, or they would kill us.” ‎ ‎Rodríguez said that at first US troops allegedly “told us [Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores] had been assassinated, not kidnapped”, and that she, her brother and Cabello replied that they “were ready to share the same fate”.‎ ‎“And I tell you, we stand by that statement to this day, because the threats and the blackmail are constant, and we have to proceed with patience and strategic prudence, with very clear objectives, brothers and sisters,” she added, before listing three goals: “to preserve peace … to rescue our hostages … and to preserve political power”.