India, Jan. 3 -- Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has publicly demanded proof that President Nicolas Maduro is alive after US claims that he was captured in a military operation. Rodriguez made the statement on state television early Saturday, calling for confirmation of Maduro's status and location after a dramatic escalation in US-US-Venezuela tensions.

The demand comes as President Donald Trump claimed US forces had captured Maduro and flown him out of the country following explosions in Caracas. Conflicting messages and a lack of independent verification have left Venezuelans and the international community seeking clarity.

Speaking in a telephone interview with state-run television, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodri...