CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – President Nicolás Maduro has pledged to defend Venezuela's sovereignty amid escalating tensions due to the recent deployment of U.S. warships in the Caribbean. He has urged President Donald Trump to engage in constructive dialogue as a means to avert potential conflict.
The comments made by Maduro on late Friday followed a contentious incident three days prior, in which the Trump administration announced that U.S. forces performed a strike in the Caribbean, reportedly sinking a boat linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which was allegedly involved in drug smuggling operations directed towards the United States. This strike resulted in the death of 11 individuals, a situation that the Venezuelan government has vehemently questioned.
“Venezuela is always ready for dialogue, but we demand respect,” Maduro declared during a speech at a military base in Caracas. He emphasized that the existing differences between the nations should not devolve into a high-impact military conflict within South America.
The U.S. strike has raised alarms throughout Latin America, a region that harbors deep scars from past American interventions. Dressed in military camouflage, Maduro presided over a ceremony that involved the mobilization of civilian militias, declaring that an “armed struggle” would ensue should there be any attack on Venezuela.
The United States has mobilized over 4,000 troops and naval assets in the region, asserting that this strategic move is aimed at combating Latin American drug cartels. However, U.S. officials have not indicated any intentions for a ground invasion into Venezuela. In response to these developments, Maduro characterized the military buildup as a veiled threat of invasion against Venezuela.
Furthermore, Maduro accused the U.S. government of fabricating drug-trafficking allegations as a pretext for seeking regime change in Venezuela. He pointed to Washington's recent decision to double the bounty on his head to $50 million as evidence of this agenda.
The implied threat of American intervention has been a long-standing tactic employed by Maduro to galvanize support in Venezuela, particularly as his political backing begins to wane. This rhetoric plays on historical sentiments against foreign intervention in Latin American affairs, aiming to unify the populace against perceived external threats.
In conclusion, the situation remains tense as both nations navigate complicated diplomatic waters, with the possibility of military confrontation lingering over diplomatic discussions aimed at respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
