Venezuela’s Maduro ready to declare state of emergency if US attacks

Following a string of deadly US attacks on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declares a state of emergency.

In a televised address on Monday, Maduro stated that the consultation process had begun in order to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and safeguard our people, our peace, and our stability if Venezuela were attacked militarily by the American empire.

In the event that the US “dares to attack our homeland,” Vice President Delcy Rodriguez earlier in the day revealed that Maduro had signed a decree giving him “special powers” to act as head of state.

The decree would give the military control over the oil industry and the public services, allowing Maduro to mobilize soldiers throughout the nation.

In the largest US naval deployment in the Caribbean, US President Donald Trump sent eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and F-35 stealth fighters to international waters off Venezuela’s coast, supported by F-35 fighters sent to Puerto Rico.

Even though data from both the US and the United Nations indicate that Venezuela is not a significant source of cocaine entering the US, Trump has repeatedly made claims in the past that the US is conducting an anti-drug operation to stop the flow of it.

At least three small boats in Venezuela’s international waters were bombed by the US military as part of a “trafficking illicit narcotics” operation.

The deaths of at least 17 Venezuelans were the result of the strikes, which have caused Venezuela to claim that Maduro’s government has declared an “undeclared war” against it. The nation prides itself on standing up for the US-led “imperialism” under its leadership.

Trump’s White House, according to a report from NBC News, plans to significantly escalate the situation, with military officials reportedly revealing plans to “target drug traffickers inside Venezuela” with airstrikes on Friday.

Maduro told Trump he wanted the two countries’ relations to be “historical and peaceful,” rejecting US claims that Venezuela had a significant role in drug trafficking.

The US bombing of boats in international waters amounts to “extrajudicial killings” of people who weren’t charged in court, according to UN experts and international scholars.

Venezuela will have to pay an “incalculable” price, according to Trump, if it doesn’t repatriate immigrants who were described as “prisoners” and “people from mental institutions.”