Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced a consultation process to declare a state of emergency in response to what he perceives as a threat of U.S. aggression.
In a televised address on Monday, Maduro stated this move would be a constitutional measure to protect the Venezuelan people from any potential military attack by the United States.
Maduro’s announcement follows a series of recent U.S. military actions, including strikes on suspected drug boats near the Venezuelan coast.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez informed foreign diplomats earlier in the day that Maduro had signed a decree granting him special powers to act regarding defense and security, should the United States proceed with any attacks on the nation.
Despite this declaration, a government source indicated to AFP that Maduro had not officially signed the document yet.
The source explained that Rodriguez presented the decree to demonstrate that the president is prepared to act swiftly if necessary.
In response to a significant U.S. military presence, Maduro has placed Venezuela on high alert, particularly due to the deployment of eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine to the Caribbean.
President Donald Trump’s administration has stated that this military build-up is part of a broader strategy to combat drug trafficking, though it has drawn criticism for its implications aimed at exerting pressure on Maduro’s regime.
Recent U.S. operations have reportedly destroyed three suspected drug boats, leading to the deaths of 14 individuals, actions condemned by U.N. experts as extrajudicial executions.
In a show of solidarity, thousands of Venezuelans, including civil servants and retirees, have volunteered to join the country’s militia in case of an invasion.
The Trump administration accuses Maduro of being a leader in drug trafficking, linking him to a gang known as the Cartel of the Suns, allegations that Maduro vehemently denies.
He has instead characterized the U.S. naval presence as a direct assault on Venezuela, labeling the warships as an “absolutely criminal and bloody threat.”
Tensions escalated earlier this month when Venezuelan fighter jets approached a U.S. naval vessel, described by Defense Department officials as a perilous game of chicken.
Venezuela has also claimed that the United States captured a fishing vessel within its exclusive economic zone and detained nine fishermen for several hours.
Should Maduro choose to declare a state of emergency, it would enable him to temporarily suspend the basic rights of Venezuelans, a move that has raised concerns about increased authoritarian control.
Vice President Rodriguez expressed confidence in national unity against potential U.S. aggression, asserting that Venezuelans would rally behind Maduro to defend their homeland.
In his address, Maduro claimed to have received positive feedback from a private conversation with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who he said expressed astonishment at the escalation of hostilities aimed at Venezuela, a claim that remains unverified by the U.N.
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