Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he is preparing to declare a state of emergency to protect his country in the event of an attack by the US military amid rising tensions over the deployment of US forces.
In a speech aired Monday, he told the country that the “consultation process” had begun to declare that “in accordance with the constitution, a state of external unrest and that Venezuela should be attacked by the US Empire in order to protect our people, peace and our stability.”
The speech follows weeks of increased tensions in weeks after the deployment of US warships into the Caribbean, which Washington claims is his mission to combat drug trafficking, but Caracas believes it aims to change the administration. The US has accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking — allegations he vehemently denies — and recently doubled the bounty for his arrest to $50 million.
According to US President Donald Trump, the recent US strike targets at least four vessels allegedly carrying drugs, killing more than a dozen human traffickers, but does not provide concrete evidence or intelligence to confirm that the targeted person is a criminal.
Earlier on Monday, Venezuelan Vice President Delsy Rodriguez said the declaration would grant Maduro special authority in the event of a US military invasion.
Rodriguez said the declaration would allow the president to mobilize Venezuelan forces (the Bolivar National Army) across the country and military control over public services, the oil industry and other regions.
Maduro could also close land, sea and air boundaries, as well as “energizing all kinds of economic, political and social plans” to ensure the country’s security.
“The (Declaration) seeks to protect the territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and important strategic interests of the Republic against serious violations or external attacks that may have occurred against our territory,” the Vice President said.
Trump played down the idea of a change of administration — he has recently said, “We’re not talking about it” — he evaluated options for carrying out a military strike against a cartel operating in Venezuela, including the possibility of hitting targets that could operate domestically as part of a broader strategy aimed at weakening Maduro, according to multiple sources explained in the administration’s plan.
Venezuela responded by denounced the deployment of warships, conducting military training in the Caribbean, mobilizing militia members across the country, and displaying Russian-made fighter jets at US military shows.
The Venezuelan military also conducts training exercises in local areas, teaching militias to handle weapons and protect communities from foreign threats.
“We are preparing along three lines: comprehensive defense of the country, aggressive resistance from the people, and permanent attacks across the country,” Maduro said recently.
Last week, hundreds of militia members took part in a parade with Caracas’ army. Maduro described it as “uniformity of those who have been empowered.”
A few days ago, more than 100 fishermen took part in a boat protest off the coast of Margarita’s Juan Grigo Bay, refusing to violence and showing their preparation to protect themselves. The Venezuelan government held a tour of protests attended by CNN.
Carlos Caravallo, a 39-year-old fisherman, has registered with CNN for the militia and is being called out for training more frequently than he is now. “I don’t know how ready they are for the missiles, but all I can say is there are people who are organizing,” he said when asked if they were ready to face a potential attack of such a size.
Rodriguez said that if “any kind of attack” occurs on the South American country, the declaration will “be activated quickly.”
According to Venezuelan law, the measure must be published in the official official gazette saying “it will come into effect after it is issued by the president.” It lasts for up to 90 days and may be extended for another 90 days.
Despite recent moves, Venezuela claims it does not want to fight war.
A few days after the first boat strike, Maduro wrote to Trump, where he denied his involvement in Narco’s trafficking and offered to meet in person with Special Envoy Richard Grenell.
The White House later confirmed that the letter was sent, but said “the administration’s position on Venezuela has not changed.”
