Tensions between the United States and Venezuela are escalating, with President Nicolás Maduro mobilising militias in response to Washington’s decision to deploy warships. US officials say the move aims to stop drugs from entering the country, but it also signals a warning to neighbouring nations.

Caracas

Three U.S. Navy destroyers carrying 4,000 Marines are moving toward Venezuela, with the White House stating the mission targets drug cartels trafficking narcotics to the United States. This follows an increase in the reward for the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who is accused by the U.S. government of leading a 'narco terror cartel.'

In response, Maduro has mobilised 4.5 million militia members and grounded all drones for 30 days, indicating concerns about a potential aerial attack. The U.S. administration maintains that Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela. The move has raised concerns among other Latin American countries, who see the U.S. action as a broader regional threat.

U.S.-Venezuela tensions rise as Maduro mobilises militia

Three U.S. destroyers carrying 4,000 Marines are heading in the direction of Venezuela. According to the White House, the mission is to target drug cartels that traffic narcotics to the United States. The move comes just days after President Trump raised the reward for helping to apprehend Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro to $50 million. In response, Maduro is mobilizing 4.5 million militiamen and women throughout the country. Let the world know, let the empires know, that today more than ever, Venezuela can defend itself. That's why we're in peace and we'll stay in peace. But while some say Trump is just trying to intimidate oil-rich Venezuela's government, Maduro has grounded all drones for 30 days, an indication that he might be expecting an attack from the air rather than sea. President Trump hasn't ruled out anything, says his spokesperson. He's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government of Venezuela. It is a narco terror cartel. And Maduro, it is the view of this administration, is not a legitimate president. He is a fugitive head of this cartel who has been indicted in the United States for trafficking drugs into the country. The last time the U.S. government used drug trafficking as a rationale to overthrow a regional government was in 1989 in Panama. In some way, it can't help Maduro. I mean, he can say, look, the threat is real. It's not just propaganda. Here are the Americans, here are the ships, so let's close ranks behind the government. Even countries that have no love for Maduro are concerned. President Trump's vow to send warships to the Caribbean and elsewhere in Latin America to stop the flow of drugs to the United States is being seen as a threat to more than just Venezuela. It could apply to many, many countries in this region. And they say that today it may be Venezuela, tomorrow it could be any one of them. Many are wondering why President Trump has chosen to implement such an aggressive move in the United States' backyard while he portrays himself as a global peacemaker. To see a Newman, Al Jazeera, Santiago.

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