On Twitter, Padrino condemned the statements of the opposition leader and fugitive from justice Leopoldo López about FANB´s allegedly illegal actions during clashes with Colombian irregular groups in the region.

‘This is how they are intending to command the FANB’s hurricane of dignity. Those are the same stateless people from 19 years ago,’ Padrino live-tweeted.

The Head of the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces Remigio Ceballo, on the other hand, supported Padrino’s statements and pointed out: ‘they stopped being politicians to become terrorist criminals who hate glorious FANB.

Ceballo highlighted the respectable actions of the Venezuelan soldiers, while recalling that right-wingers´ actions were based on guarimbas (violent lawlessness) against innocent civilians.

In this regard, President Nicolás Maduro said: ‘The order is war of all the people in defense of sovereignty and the land against irregular, criminal and terrorist groups coming from Colombia. Venezuela must be respected! We will win!

ef/pll/mem/ycv/gdc