Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has called the US military action in the Caribbean region the “biggest threat“ in a century. “Venezuela is facing the biggest threat that our continent has experienced in the last hundred years“, he said at a press conference with foreign journalists, ARD notes.
Massive military presence
“Eight warships with 1,200 missiles and a nuclear submarine have targeted Venezuela. "This is a very extravagant threat that cannot be justified - it is immoral and absolutely criminal," Maduro said.
In the event of a US attack, Maduro said, armed resistance would be organized. "If Venezuela is attacked, we will immediately begin an armed struggle to defend our territory." Maduro also said that in that case he would declare, in accordance with the constitution, a "Republic of Arms."
The US believes that Maduro is involved in drug trafficking
The conflict between the two countries has escalated dramatically in recent times. According to media reports, last week the US transferred a large number of US warships to the Venezuelan coast to capture drug traffickers there. However, there is no talk in Washington of invading Venezuela itself.
The US government has nevertheless doubled the reward (up to $50 million) for information that would help capture Maduro. The US justice system accuses the Venezuelan head of state of complicity in the international drug trade.
Maduro plans to mobilize new militias
Recently, Maduro announced that he plans to mobilize additional civilian militias. The paramilitary groups in the country have nearly 4.5 million members. They include not only reservists and numerous members of the ruling Socialist Party, but also employees of state enterprises and pensioners. Military experts, however, doubt the extent to which these groups have actual military power.
In July 2024, Maduro was re-elected as president of the country, but the fairness of the elections was disputed. The opposition and a number of independent organizations have presented credible evidence of fraud and falsification. The US, the EU and several Latin American governments have even recognized Edmundo Gonzalez, Maduro's main rival, as the legitimately elected head of state. Edmundo Gonzalez lives in exile in Spain.