On Monday, the Venezuelan President accused the United States of attempting to orchestrate a regime change in his nation, citing a concurrent naval deployment in the Caribbean.
This military buildup was authorized by President Donald Trump with the stated objective of disrupting drug cartel operations, as part of his broader border policy. However, Maduro characterized the buildup as an intervention in his country’s affairs.
“They are seeking a regime change through military threat,” Maduro declared to journalists, officials, and uniformed military personnel in Caracas, echoing sentiments expressed by his government’s representative at the United Nations the previous week.
“Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years,” Maduro added. “A situation like this has never been seen.”
Maduro asserted that his country would not yield to threats and was “super-prepared.”
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, even offering a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
“These cartels have engaged in historic violence and terror throughout our hemisphere—and around the globe—that has destabilized the economies and internal security of countries, while also flooding the United States with deadly drugs, violent criminals, and vicious gangs,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated during an August 19 news conference.
“This requires a whole-of-government effort, and through coordination with regional partners, the Department of Defense will undoubtedly play an important role in meeting the President’s objective to eliminate the ability of these cartels to threaten the stability, safety, and security of the United States and its people,” Parnell added. “As a matter of security and policy, we do not speculate on future operations.”
Digital sought comment from the White House.