Venezuela's first lady says U.S. DEA kidnapped her nephewsJanuary 13, 2016 - 08:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Venezuela's first lady on Tuesday, January 12 broke her silence on the arrest of her two nephews on drug trafficking charges, saying they were kidnapped by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the Associated Press. Cilia Flores, who serves in congress, told Venezuelan weekly Tal Cual that the U.S. was seeking revenge and trying to force the socialists from power in the South American country. She said the government had proof that the DEA had conducted an illegal operation on Venezuelan soil and "violated our sovereignty." Two of Flores' nephews were arrested in November in Haiti and transferred to New York. They are being held on charges of conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the U.S. "The DEA committed the crime of kidnapping," Flores said. U.S prosecutors have investigated several top Venezuelan officials for drug charges, but November's arrests marked the first time President Nicolas Maduro's inner circle was directly implicated. Flores had refrained from addressing the case. But that's been increasingly hard to do after the opposition won control of congress and allowed reporters to enter the congressional chamber for the first time in years. Last week, Flores was filmed ignoring direct questions from reporters on the topic, which local press has dubbed the "narconephews" scandal. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |