Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has made an emotional plea for calm, urging world leaders and citizens to reject what he described as a “crazy war,” as tensions heighten between Caracas and Washington over renewed US military action in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Maduro’s call came a day after US President Donald Trump announced he had authorised covert operations against Venezuela as part of an ongoing campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking networks.
The United States, which has deployed stealth aircraft and naval forces to the region, insists the military operations are anti-narcotics missions.
However, it has yet to release concrete evidence linking the vessels targeted — eight boats and a semi-submersible — to drug smuggling.
Speaking in English during a meeting with labour unions, Maduro said, “Yes, peace forever, peace forever. No crazy war, please!” His remarks underscored growing fears of a direct military confrontation between the two nations.
Trump, addressing reporters on Thursday, denied reports that B-1B bombers had been deployed to Venezuelan airspace but issued a harsh warning to the Maduro government, claiming, “We’re not happy with them.
They’ve emptied their prisons into our country.” The US leader further suggested that Congress would not be consulted before any potential escalation, saying, “We’re just going to kill people who come into our country.”
According to AFP estimates based on official US data, at least 37 people have been killed since the strikes began on September 2.
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Regional neighbours have expressed growing concern, with Trinidad and Tobago confirming that a US warship will dock in its capital later this month for joint military exercises.
Maduro’s government has accused Washington of pursuing “regime change” under the guise of counter-narcotics operations.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino stated that Caracas was aware of CIA-linked covert activities and warned that “any attempt will fail.” He oversaw coastal military drills on Thursday as a show of readiness.
Meanwhile, legal experts continue to question the legitimacy of US military actions in international waters, particularly those involving the use of lethal force against suspects who have not been formally detained or interrogated.
As both nations trade accusations and rhetoric hardens, the international community watches closely, wary that the escalating standoff could destabilize an already fragile Latin American region.
