Maduro Says Venezuela Ready to Respond to US Military

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday that his country was at “maximum preparedness” and ready to respond if attacked by US forces deployed to the southern Caribbean.

His comments came as the United States increased its maritime presence in the region to combat drug cartels. According to the Associated Press, the US Navy currently has destroyers and a cruiser deployed, with three amphibious assault ships carrying more than 4,000 sailors and Marines expected to arrive this week. The Trump administration has not indicated any planned land incursion.

Maduro said Venezuela has deployed troops along its coast and border with Colombia and called on citizens to join a civilian militia. “In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defence of Venezuela,” he said, calling the US deployment “an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat.”

Foreign Minister Yván Gil said the operation is based on a “false narrative” and warned it “threatens the entire region.”

Maduro also insisted he was the legitimate winner of last year’s election and warned US President Donald Trump that intervention would “stain” his “hands with blood.”