Maduro’s Threat of Armed Struggle in Venezuela

On Monday, Nicolas Maduro issued a warning, stating that Venezuela might “enter the period of armed struggle.” This threat emerged during an international press conference in Caracas, where he accused the United States of fabricating a “superficial tale” regarding its efforts against drug cartels in the Caribbean.

He remarked, “The U.S. wants to escalate what they call maximum pressure—specifically military pressure. In response to this, we declare our utmost preparedness for defense.” Maduro went on to assert that if Venezuela faces an attack, it would quickly enter a phase of armed resistance within its borders, underlining the historical context and defense of its people.

Many members of Maduro’s regime have claimed that U.S. actions in the Caribbean aim to “invade” Venezuela and usurp power. Consequently, he has called for a heightened state of readiness for the nation.

During his address, Maduro emphasized that U.S. actions represented “the biggest threat our continent has seen in the last 100 years,” comparing it to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. He condemned these moves as a “luxurious, unjust, immoral, and absolutely criminal threat.”

U.S. officials have accused Maduro of being involved in narcoterrorism, with accusations surrounding the Socialist Party’s operations in international cocaine trafficking. The U.S. recently designated a Venezuelan military-linked organization as a terrorist entity and doubled the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture, now ranging between $25 million and $50 million.

In August, President Trump deployed a naval fleet in the Southern Caribbean to address drug trafficking and to disrupt the flow of narcotics into the U.S. Reports indicated that approximately 4,000 sailors and Marines would be involved in intercepting drug shipments in international waters, with ships like the USS Lake Element and USS Newport News being part of this initiative.

The U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has incited outrage from Maduro, who regards it as a significant threat. His regime vocally condemned the actions through various international platforms, urging the U.S. to cease its counter-narcotics efforts and withdraw military forces from the region.

Last week, he sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing concerns over what he described as an “escalation of attacks” by the U.S. against Venezuela.

Despite ongoing accusations of drug trafficking, Maduro and his government consistently deny any involvement, alleging that the U.S. is attempting to tarnish their reputation. In his comments, he hinted at a conspiracy driven by Marco Rubio and other U.S. officials, blaming them for escalating tensions.

Maduro argued that U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America has been influenced by radical factions in Miami, labeling Venezuela as a threat to the entire continent.

“Marco Rubio wants to dirty his hands with blood from South America and Venezuela,” he said, “so he needs to watch himself. They are pushing for a massacre against the Venezuelan people.”

As part of preparations against perceived “aggression” from the U.S., Maduro announced plans to bolster the state militia of 4.5 million members, prohibiting the use of drones and mobilizing security operatives along the Colombian border. His government recently initiated a recruitment campaign aimed at strengthening militia ranks.

Despite claims of a successful enlistment drive, reports from independent media indicated low participation rates during the campaign, with notable enrollment spots appearing almost deserted. Yet, Maduro insisted that “8.2 million” Venezuelans had registered for the militia following the campaign.