Large part of Maduro's security team killed in U.S. action-Venezuela defense minister

Jan 4 (Reuters) - A large part of erstwhile President Nicolas Maduro's security team was killed in the U.S. raid that led to the leader's Saturday capture, Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino said in a televised statement on Sunday morning.

Padrino did not give an exact figure of casualities, but backed the declaration of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president and said the armed forces have been activated across the country to guarantee sovereignty.