United States accused of engaging in an "unofficial war" by Venezuela
The Caribbean region is witnessing heightened tensions as the United States and Venezuela continue their standoff. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of intending to 'steal' Venezuela's oil and hatching an 'imperial plan for regime change,' while installing a US puppet government.
In response to these perceived threats, Maduro has announced military exercises on Venezuela's Caribbean island of La Orchila. Additionally, he has vowed to exercise Venezuela's 'legitimate right to defend itself' against US aggression.
The US, on the other hand, maintains that its operations in the region are part of its war on drug trafficking. In this context, the US has sent F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to support its Caribbean flotilla composed of seven ships and a nuclear-powered submarine.
The US has also conducted strikes on at least two Venezuelan boats allegedly transporting drugs to the United States. President Trump claimed that US forces have 'knocked off' three boats, but details and video footage have only been provided for two of the strikes. These attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of 14 people described as 'narco-terrorists' by President Trump.
The US dismisses questions over the legality of these strikes in international waters. Meanwhile, Maduro accuses the Donald Trump administration of planning an invasion in pursuit of regime change.
Amidst these escalating tensions, the Venezuelan Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, has reported military exercises in response to the perceived US 'military threat.' Maduro has also announced that the Venezuelan military will teach handling of weapons systems to those enlisted in the civilian militia.
Moreover, Maduro, who is accused by the United States of running a drug cartel, has a $50 million bounty on drug trafficking charges issued by Washington.
The biggest US naval deployment in the Caribbean in decades has taken place, stoking fears of potential attacks on Venezuelan territory. As the situation continues to unfold, both nations remain locked in a tense standoff, with no signs of de-escalation on the horizon.
This article is copyrighted by AFP in 2025.
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