Maduro Common Says Venezuela Prepared for US 'Assault'

[ad_1] Venezuelan Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the nation is able to confront "any assault" from the USA as tensions escalate over Washington's army presence within the Caribbean.

His remarks, broadcast Sunday on state-run media, got here amid rising friction between Caracas and Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump's deployment of American naval forces to the area for anti-cartel operations.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Division and Venezuela's International Ministry for remark.

Why It Issues The standoff displays a long time of strained relations between Venezuela and the U.S., marked by sanctions, political disputes, and accusations of interference. Washington has refused to acknowledge Nicolás Maduro's presidency since 2019, as an alternative backing opposition chief Juan Guaidó on the time.

Venezuela, in flip, has accused the U.S. of trying to orchestrate regime change. The army posturing now raises the danger of confrontation in a area already beset by instability.

Venezuelan Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez stands throughout a press convention with Venezuelan President Maduro on the Miraflores presidential palace three days after Maduro's controversial re-election. Venezuelan Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez stands throughout a press convention with Venezuelan President Maduro on the Miraflores presidential palace three days after Maduro's controversial re-election. Jeampier Arguinzones/AP Picture What To Know "We are going to struggle should you dare to set foot in Venezuela," Padrino stated, warning that Washington's deployments have been a hostile act meant to impress inside chaos and weaken Maduro's grip on energy.

His assertion was accompanied by a present of army readiness, as Venezuela has bolstered patrols alongside its maritime borders and airspace and deployed 15,000 troops to the western frontier with Colombia.

Individually, Maduro referred to as for strengthening the Bolivarian Nationwide Militia, a civilian auxiliary power built-in into the armed forces, as a part of a broader effort to rally nationalist help in opposition to exterior threats.

U.S. Naval Strikes The U.S. Navy has deployed the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie, the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Newport Information, three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers—the united statesGravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson—the littoral fight ship USS Minneapolis-St. Paul, and the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS San Antonio, and USS Fort Lauderdale, bringing roughly 4,500 personnel, together with over 2,000 Marines, to waters close to Venezuela as a part of a counter-narcotics operation focusing on regional drug cartels.

U.S. officers contend that Venezuela has grow to be a key transit hub for cocaine shipments passing by way of the Caribbean on their technique to North America and Europe. Caracas has constantly rejected these allegations, portraying them as a pretext to justify efforts to undermine Maduro's authorities.

In the meantime, Trump's former nationwide safety adviser Michael Flynn posted a message on social media calling to "Make Venezuela Nice Once more" by capturing cartel leaders and releasing residents from Maduro's rule.

Let’s Make Venezuela Nice Once more by capturing these terrorist group leaders. Get them off the streets and assist the individuals of Venezuela have a vastly higher life.

The residents of Venezuela don’t should stay underneath the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!

With a… https://t.co/6Le1WJ5I31

— Common Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) August 31, 2025 Regional Pushback The U.S. deployments have triggered criticism throughout Latin America. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Colombian President Gustavo Petro each expressed opposition to Washington's maneuvers within the Caribbean, warning they danger additional escalating tensions within the area.

Their remarks mirror a broader concern amongst some Latin American leaders concerning the militarization of regional disputes and the opportunity of overseas intervention.

A member of the Bolivarian Militia of Venezuela participates in an illustration in help of the nationwide recruitment marketing campaign launched by the federal government of President Nicolas Maduro on the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas... A member of the Bolivarian Militia of Venezuela participates in an illustration in help of the nationwide recruitment marketing campaign launched by the federal government of President Nicolas Maduro on the 23 de Enero neighborhood in Caracas on August 30, 2025. Lots of of individuals heeded President Nicolas Maduro's name on August 29, 2025 to enlist in Venezuela's army forces to bolster ranks within the face of "imperialist aggression" from the USA. Extra Pedro Mattey/Getty Pictures What Individuals Are Saying Venezuelan Protection Minister Vladimir Padrino López: "We are going to struggle should you dare to set foot in Venezuela."

Former U.S. nationwide safety advisor Common Michael Flynn: "Let's Make Venezuela Nice Once more by capturing these terrorist group leaders. Get them off the streets and assist the individuals of Venezuela have a vastly higher life. The residents of Venezuela do not should stay underneath the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!"

What Occurs Subsequent The state of affairs stays fluid as Venezuela mobilizes forces and Washington maintains its naval presence. Whereas direct battle seems unlikely, the continuing deployments sign a deepening geopolitical rift that would attract regional gamers and international powers with pursuits within the Caribbean.