CARACAS, July 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was struck by a falling tree during Hurricane Beryl, according to the government.
“She was hit hard, but she is conscious,” Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said in a speech to supporters on Tuesday.
Rodríguez had travelled to the northern coastal state of Sucre to oversee the clean-up of damage caused by Beryl.
A strong gust of wind caused several trees to fall, and one of them hit Rodríguez, Maduro said.
“She is strong. She has just written to me and sends her regards.”
Rodríguez is one of the most influential politicians in the authoritarian country. The former foreign minister is in charge of the secret service Sebin, which has been accused of numerous human rights violations. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, is president of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
Two people died in Venezuela after Hurricane Beryl swept through the Caribbean with wind speeds of over 250 kilometres per hour. The Manzanares River overflowed, damaging over 600 houses. The government sent 3,600 police officers and relief workers along with 2,000 tonnes of supplies to the area in the north of the country. — NNN-AGENCIES
