Caracas, July 11 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President and Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), Nicolás Maduro, told the Ministers of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, and of Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Néstor Reverol, to respond to "all the filthy, disgusting lies that the U.S. launched today in the Southern Command against Venezuela."

In view of the recent statements made by U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, the Venezuelan leader warned that "the U.S. empire does not cease in its attacks, in its lies, in its dirty campaign," and has launched a series of false accusations "against Venezuela and the morality and honor of our institutions and our own lives."

For that reason, he indicated not to be negligent, and gave the order to respond to these insults and manipulations, so that "morality on high, permanent combat" prevails "the truth of our country, the truth of our heart."

During the ceremony on the occasion of the transfer of command of the Bolivarian Army, the Bolivarian Navy and the Bolivarian Military Aviation carried out this Friday, the Venezuelan leader stated that "the FANB has a solid, iron, clear doctrine, our doctrine, made by Venezuelans, from our deep history."

He also pointed out that these forces have a strategic operational concept of defense, "the war of all the people, and have men and women of flesh and blood who, with weapons in hand, defend the vast national territory every day from north to south, from east to west.

President Nicolás Maduro also reported that new exercises are planned in times of the pandemic to continue training the troops and the national militia, "in the permanent exercise of defense of Venezuela," since the U.S. empire does not cease in its attacks.