Maduro ready to declare ‘republic in arms’ if US forces attack Venezuela
The US has deployed military forces to the Caribbean in an operation said to target Latin American drug cartels.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that a United States military build-up in the Caribbean is aimed at overthrowing his government, and he was ready to “declare a republic in arms” if attacked by US forces.
In a series of rare remarks to reporters on Monday, Maduro said that Venezuela seeks peace but that his military is prepared to respond to any attacks from US forces.
Recommended Stories
Venezuela’s Maduro says ‘no way’ US can invade as Trump deploys naval force
US warships head to Venezuela: Fight against cartels or imperial ambition?
Venezuela deploys warships, drones to coast as US naval squadron nears
“They are seeking a regime change through military threat,” Maduro told journalists. “Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years.”
“If Venezuela were attacked, we would immediately move to armed struggle in defence of our territory,” he said, pledging to declare “a republic in arms”.
“In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defence of Venezuela”, Maduro continued, adding that the US had sent “eight military ships with 1,200 missiles and a submarine targeting Venezuela”.
Maduro has raised alarm for weeks over a reported US naval deployment in the Southern Caribbean, in what Washington says is an operation to combat Latin American drug cartels, which has caused speculation about possible military interference against Venezuela.
In response, the Venezuelan leader has deployed troops along the South American nation’s borders and called on thousands of citizens to join armed militias to defend the nation.
0 Comments