Venezuela defense minister reaffirms military's loyalty to Maduro

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a march amid the disputed presidential election, in Caracas, Venezuela August 3, 2024. REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno/File Photo

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Tuesday reaffirmed the military's "absolute loyalty" to President Nicolas Maduro, amid an on-going dispute over the country's contested presidential election results.

The comments came after opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez and leader Maria Corina Machado urged members of the armed forces "to stand at the side of the people," in a letter published on Monday.