Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared his nation is prepared to defend itself, as the United States government under Donald Trump weighs the possibility of launching a land attack. The stark warning comes amid heightened tensions over a significant US military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, which includes an aircraft carrier and thousands of troops.
A Rallying Cry in Caracas
Addressing supporters at a rally in Caracas on Monday, President Maduro stated that Venezuelans are ready "to defend [the country] and lead it to the path of peace." He framed the ongoing crisis as 22 weeks of aggression and psychological terrorism directed by Washington. The US administration has intensified its focus on Venezuela, targeting boats it alleges are smuggling narcotics towards American shores.
The situation escalated further after President Trump met with his national security team on Monday evening. Last week, Trump warned that land strikes against targets in Venezuela would commence "very soon." While the White House has not confirmed the details of the discussions, press secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that "many options" remain under consideration by the President.
Controversy Over US Military Strikes
The immediate flashpoint has been a series of US military actions against maritime vessels. The Pentagon claims to have conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in recent months, resulting in over 80 fatalities. The White House has accused Maduro of involvement in the drug trade, a charge he vehemently denies.
However, these operations are mired in controversy. Venezuela condemns the attacks as murder, asserting that Trump's true objective is to oust Maduro and gain access to the country's vast oil reserves. Legal experts have also raised concerns, particularly regarding an incident on 2 September where a boat was hit by a follow-up strike after an initial attack left two survivors in the water.
US media reported that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered everyone on board to be killed. Hegseth dismissed this as "fake news," insisting all actions comply with US and international law, and that targeted traffickers are affiliated with Designated Terrorist Organisations. White House press secretary Leavitt later clarified that Hegseth authorised Vice Admiral Frank Bradley to attack, who then acted within his authority to "ensure the threat was eliminated."
Diplomatic Manoeuvres and Rising Stakes
Amid the military posturing, a brief diplomatic channel opened. President Trump revealed on Sunday that he had spoken to Maduro by phone, characterising the conversation as neither having gone "well or badly." However, Trump also declared Venezuela's airspace should be considered closed—a move Caracas labelled a "colonial threat" and an act of illegal aggression.
With a formidable US naval presence, including its flagship aircraft carrier, stationed in the region, the potential for a broader conflict looms. The Venezuelan government maintains its forces are on high alert, ready to respond to any incursion as the Trump administration continues to evaluate its next steps.
