Venezuela Developments: Maduro Praises Citizens as Minister Taunts US Soldiers
According to the English section of webangah news Agency, citing Venezuela’s state television (VTV) and Mehr News Agency, amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas triggered by the dispatch and deployment of American forces in the Caribbean and waters near Venezuela-allegedly to fight drug cartels-President Nicolás Maduro and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced that the Venezuelan people remain united. Paramilitary groups are on high alert.
Maduro referred to images showing civilians undergoing training for a possible confrontation with U.S.forces,stating: “These are brave and heroic Venezuelans! I have seen young men,women,ordinary citizens at military bases participating in initial training phases to defend our territorial integrity,independence,and peace. Under maximum pressure! Maximum unity! Without any doubt!”
Defense Minister Padrino also asserted that Washington’s true aim is an invasion followed by regime change rather than fighting drug trafficking. He called it “a cynical spectacle” orchestrated by deploying naval forces in the caribbean. Addressing U.S. troops as fellow humans made of “flesh and blood like us,” he questioned: “Are you preparing yourselves for such a shameful act? Don’t you think this damages your military honor?” Honor remains a core value motivating military personnel.
Last week, amid increased U.S. military presence near caracas waters, President Maduro announced yesterday that 25,000 additional troops have been deployed along Venezuela’s coastlines. He emphasized that this mobilization aims primarily to protect national sovereignty and security while striving for peace.
The Associated Press reported yesterday that after U . S . warships moved into waters close to Caracas , personnel aboard one American destroyer seized control over a Venezuelan fishing vessel . Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto said in a statement : “The crew members on board illegally entered one Venezuelan fishing boat hostilely , detaining 18 armed men who stayed aboard for eight hours , preventing normal communications and fishermen ‘ s activities .They were later released under escort by Venezuela ‘ s navy.”
The Venezuelan foreign minister stated that America ‘ s goal is persistencein itsfailedpolicyofregimechangeinvenezuela.He added:ThosewhoorderedsuchprovocativeactionsseektoigniteamilitaryincidentandescalatetensionsintheCaribbean.ThisstatementfollowedDonaldTrump’stelevisedclaimthatUSforceshadattackedadrugshipkilling11people.AccordingtoTrump,thevesselwastransportingmembersofthe”TrenDeAragua”gangfromVenezuelabuthisgovernmentprovidednoevidenceforsuchclaims.
Recently , US Attorney General Pam Bondi offered $50 millionforinformationleadingtocaptureofMaduro.TheTrumpadministrationaccusedhimofleadingthe”Cartel de los Soles.”thisannouncementcoincidedwiththedispatchoffouramericanwarshipstothecaribbean,inthenamedefforttofightrunningdrugcartelsintheregion.
In response,maduromaintainedthatwashington’strueobjectivebehinddeployingforcesintheCaribbeancorridoristosecureaccessovervenezuelanoilandgasreserves.Today,thePresidentoftheUnitedStatesaddressedquestionsaboutapossiblemilitaryattackonVenepudgeaisingtratetycoon,replying:”Wewillsoonseewhathappens.”
