Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has warned he is ready to turn the country into a “republic in arms” if the United States launches a military strike against his government. His comments come as Washington expands its military presence in the Caribbean.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Maduro accused the US of using an anti-drug mission as a pretext for regime change.
“They are seeking to impose a new government through military threats,” he said. “If Venezuela is attacked, we will take up arms to defend our homeland.”
He claimed the US has sent “eight warships armed with 1,200 missiles and a submarine positioned against Venezuela,” describing the deployment as “the greatest threat the continent has faced in 100 years.”
American naval buildup
US officials confirm that two Aegis-guided destroyers, the USS Gravely and USS Jason Dunham, are patrolling the Caribbean, along with the USS Sampson and the cruiser USS Lake Erie. A nuclear-powered submarine is also part of the mission, and reports suggest assault ships carrying thousands of Marines could join soon.
Washington insists the mission’s purpose is to disrupt drug cartels in Latin America and denies any plans to put troops on Venezuelan soil.
Political pressure at home and abroad
Maduro faces growing pressure from Washington, which accuses him of ties to drug traffickers and has offered a $50 million reward for his capture. But US media have reported that intelligence findings found no direct link between him and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua crime syndicate, raising questions about the charges.
Despite his confrontational stance, Maduro has occasionally shown openness to limited cooperation with the US, including on deportation issues.
He also defended his legitimacy as president, repeating that his 2024 re-election was valid — a claim rejected by most Western and Latin American governments, which back the opposition’s claim that it won the vote.
