Venezuela Declares State of Emergency Following U.S. Hostile Actions
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Al Mayadeen and Mehr News Agency, Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela, has declared a state of emergency in response to what Caracas describes as escalating antagonistic actions by the United States against Venezuela.
Earlier on Tuesday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced that Maduro had signed an order granting him authority to take defense and national security measures should the U.S. launch any potential attack against “our homeland.”
The order empowers Maduro to mobilize the armed forces nationwide and place military control over public services and the oil industry.
Following a significant U.S. military presence near its coasts, Venezuela’s defense forces have been placed on high alert.
The United States has deployed eight warships and a nuclear submarine in the southern Caribbean, claiming these moves are aimed at combating drug trafficking operations.
However, caracas views this deployment as an overt provocation intending to increase pressure on Maduro’s government and attempt regime change in Venezuela.
In recent weeks, U.S. forces have targeted at least three vessels in the Caribbean for alleged drug smuggling without presenting evidence.
This series of operations has resulted in 14 deaths-actions UN experts have condemned as examples of extrajudicial executions.
