Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro warned on September 2 that any U.S. military attack on his country would trigger an immediate “armed struggle.” His remarks follow a surge in U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean and the confirmation of a U.S. strike on a drug-trafficking vessel allegedly linked to Venezuela.
During a televised address, Maduro declared that if U.S. forces engage Venezuelan territory, his regime would respond by initiating a “republic in arms,” mobilizing military units and militias nationwide. He framed the situation as a fight to preserve Venezuelan sovereignty and accused the United States of using counter-narcotics operations as a cover for regime-change tactics.
The statement came after the United States, under President Trump’s leadership, expanded its naval operations in the Southern Caribbean. American warships, submarines, and an amphibious assault ship have been deployed in what Pentagon sources describe as a mission to suppress drug trafficking in the region. The U.S. recently confirmed a “lethal strike” on a vessel allegedly transporting narcotics from Venezuelan waters. The vessel was believed to be operated by narco-terrorist elements linked to the Maduro regime.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the strike on X, saying, “Today the U.S. military conducted a lethal strike in the southern Caribbean against a drug vessel which had departed from Venezuela and was being operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.”
Maduro responded by placing his military on high alert and initiating recruitment campaigns for civilian militias. He has also ordered the deployment of Venezuelan drones, coastal defense units, and naval assets to counter what he calls “imperialist threats.” The regime is particularly focused on the Colombian border, citing concerns of cross-border operations.
Venezuela’s government has long been under scrutiny for its close ties to transnational drug networks and authoritarian crackdowns on political opponents. The Trump administration has condemned Maduro’s rule as illegitimate and has repeatedly supported the Venezuelan opposition in their calls for democratic elections and human rights reforms.
Regional analysts note that Maduro’s rhetoric is likely aimed at solidifying domestic control while deterring potential foreign intervention. However, the situation remains tense, and military engagement between U.S. and Venezuelan forces is not being ruled out by defense officials.
