United States is accused by Venezuela of engaging in an 'unannounced war'
In a dramatic turn of events, the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced that troops will provide weapons training to residents of low-income neighborhoods, amidst escalating tensions with the United States. This move comes in response to US operations in the Caribbean, which Maduro vows are part of an "undeclared war" against Venezuela.
The current US President, Donald Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025, has threatened Venezuela with "unforeseeable" consequences while deploying US naval forces in the Caribbean to combat alleged drug smuggling linked to Venezuela's government under Maduro.
The US has reportedly conducted strikes on at least two Venezuelan boats, resulting in the death of 14 people, described as "narco-terrorists" by President Trump. The biggest US naval deployment in the Caribbean in decades is ongoing, with F-35 fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico to support the flotilla.
In a fiery response, Maduro accuses the Trump administration of planning an invasion in pursuit of regime change and of aiming to impose a US puppet government in Venezuela. He also accuses the US of hatching an "imperial plan for regime change" and of waging an "undeclared war" in the Caribbean.
Venezuela launched three days of military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila in response to the perceived threat. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez reported on the exercises, stating they were in response to the US "military threat."
A fishing vessel of Venezuela was intercepted and held by the United States for eight hours in an area close to La Orchila, adding fuel to the fire. The US dismisses questions over the legality of the strikes in international waters.
Trump claims that US forces have "knocked off" three boats, but only provides details and video footage of two of the strikes. The US operations are justified as part of its war on drug trafficking, with Maduro having a $50 million bounty on him due to drug trafficking charges issued by the United States.
This escalation of tensions between the two countries continues to raise concerns about potential conflict and regional instability. As both nations dig their heels in, the Caribbean stands on the brink of a potential crisis.
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