In an effort to combat drug trafficking, the United States sent three warships near the coast of Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro criticized the move on Friday, calling it a “illegal” attempt to overthrow the current government.
Earlier last month, the administration of President Donald Trump doubled the prize to $50 million on narcotics accusations against the communist dictator, further increasing pressure on Maduro.
Three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers were en route to international waters off the South American nation, according to a US source who spoke to AFP earlier this week. 4,000 Marines could also be deployed, according to US media.
“What they’re threatening to do against Venezuela — regime change, a military terrorist attack — is immoral, criminal and illegal,” Maduro told lawmakers.
“This is a matter of peace, of international law, for Latin America and the Caribbean. Anyone who commits an act of aggression against a country in Latin America is attacking all countries,” he said.
In 2020, during Trump’s first term in office, Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials were indicted in US federal court on several charges including participating in a “narco-terrorism” conspiracy.
Over the course of two decades, Maduro allegedly ran a cocaine trafficking group known as “The Cartel of the Suns” that brought hundreds of tons of drugs into the US and made hundreds of millions of dollars.
Maduro has won two elections in a row, but Washington does not acknowledge them.
In reaction to US “threats,” Maduro said this week that he would be deploying 4.5 million paramilitary members around Venezuela. He also called for protests against Washington over the weekend.
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