Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has issued a stern warning to the United States, declaring that he would constitutionally proclaim a “republic in arms” if American forces stationed in the Caribbean attempt an attack on his country. He described such an assault as immoral, criminal, and a bloody threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Maduro Responds to US Military Deployment
The warning came during a press conference on Monday, shortly after Washington strengthened its maritime presence near Venezuela. The Trump administration announced expanded naval operations in the Caribbean, citing efforts to counter Latin American drug cartels.
Although US officials have not indicated any plans for a land invasion, the Venezuelan government has mobilized more than 15,000 troops along its coasts and the border with Colombia. In addition, Maduro has called on citizens to join the civilian militia, emphasizing what he described as “maximum preparedness for the defence of Venezuela.”
Venezuela Labels US Pressure “Extravagant and Criminal”
Maduro condemned the military buildup, calling it “extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral, and criminal.” He argued that the United States was attempting to orchestrate regime change in Caracas. To rally support, he told Venezuelans that this marks the gravest threat faced by Latin America in the last century, citing the presence of “eight military ships with 1,200 missiles and a submarine” targeting his country.
Currently, the US Navy has two Aegis-guided missile destroyers, USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham, patrolling the Caribbean. They are joined by USS Sampson, USS Lake Erie, and three amphibious assault ships carrying more than 4,000 sailors and Marines. A US defence official said these forces will expand operations in the coming week.
US Says Move Targets Drug Cartels
The Trump administration insists the deployment aims to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics into American communities. Officials argue that cartels fuel violence across US cities and must be stopped at their source.
However, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil rejected this justification. Citing a UN report, he argued that 87% of Colombia’s cocaine leaves through the Pacific Ocean and not through Venezuela. Only 5% of drug trafficking routes involve Venezuelan territory, he added. Gil called Washington’s claims a “false narrative” designed to threaten Venezuela and destabilize the region.
Regional Leaders Raise Concerns
Speaking at a virtual meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Gil urged neighbouring countries to oppose the deployment. He stressed that any attack on Venezuela would have catastrophic consequences for regional stability. “Let us immediately demand an end to this deployment, which has no other reason than to threaten a sovereign people,” he stated.
Disputed Elections and Political Divide
Maduro also defended his legitimacy, insisting that he won the presidential elections held in July last year. The vote, however, was marred by widespread irregularities, prompting the United States and several other countries to reject the results.
Since then, Venezuela’s opposition has intensified calls for international pressure to remove Maduro and restore democratic governance. Opposition leader María Corina Machado even praised Trump’s military strategy, calling it “the right approach” against what she labeled a “criminal enterprise.”
A Warning to Washington
Maduro closed his remarks with a direct warning to then-President Trump. He cautioned that any military action against Venezuela would not only fail but would also “stain Trump’s hands with blood.”
