Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has raised the prospect of declaring a nationwide state of emergency if his country comes under direct military threat from the United States, signaling heightened tensions between Caracas and Washington.
In a nationally televised address on Monday, Maduro announced that a “consultation process” was underway to declare what he called a “state of external unrest” in line with the Venezuelan constitution.
The measure, he explained, would be activated “to protect our people, our peace, and our stability should Venezuela be attacked by the US empire.”
The announcement followed weeks of strained relations after the US deployed warships to the Caribbean. While Washington insists the mission is aimed at combating international drug trafficking, Caracas sees the military presence as a direct threat designed to undermine and possibly topple Maduro’s government.
The United States has long accused Maduro of corruption and drug trafficking. In recent weeks, the Trump administration doubled the reward for his arrest to $50 million, further escalating pressure on Caracas.
President Donald Trump also claimed responsibility for recent US strikes against at least four vessels allegedly transporting narcotics, strikes that reportedly killed more than a dozen suspected traffickers.
However, Trump offered no evidence confirming the identities of those killed, drawing skepticism and criticism from observers who view the operations as part of a wider strategy to destabilize Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, clarified on Monday that if enacted, the emergency decree would grant Maduro sweeping powers.
These include the authority to mobilize the Bolivarian National Armed Forces nationwide, assume control over public services and oil facilities—the backbone of Venezuela’s economy—and impose closures on land, sea, and air borders.
The measure, according to Rodríguez, would allow the president to “activate all kinds of economic, political and social plans to guarantee national security.”
Caracas has responded defiantly to Washington’s naval maneuvers. Over the past two weeks, the Venezuelan government has organized large-scale military drills in the Caribbean, staged civic-military parades in Caracas, and showcased its Russian-made fighter jets in a pointed display of readiness.
Militias across the country have been mobilized, with training exercises conducted in urban neighborhoods to prepare civilians for the possibility of conflict.
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Maduro emphasized that Venezuela was preparing along three main lines: “the comprehensive defense of the nation, the active resistance of the people, and the permanent offensive of an entire country.”
His government has portrayed this strategy as one of unity between the armed forces and civilians, a theme reinforced during last week’s militia parade in the capital that featured hundreds of participants.
Grassroots demonstrations have also been encouraged. In Margarita Island, more than 100 fishermen staged a protest at sea, pledging to defend their territory against foreign aggression.
One fisherman, Carlos Caravallo, told reporters he had joined the local militia and was being trained more regularly. “I don’t know how prepared they are for a missile,” he admitted, “but I can say people are organizing.”
The emergency powers under Venezuelan law would take effect immediately upon presidential decree, lasting for 90 days and extendable for another 90. Rodríguez stressed the measure would only be enacted “in the event of any aggression,” framing it as strictly defensive.
Despite the warlike rhetoric, Maduro has attempted diplomatic outreach. After the first US strike on alleged drug vessels, he sent a letter to Trump denying involvement in narcotics trafficking and offering to hold direct talks through special envoy Richard Grenell.
While the White House confirmed receipt of the letter, officials said Washington’s position toward Maduro “has not changed.”
For now, Venezuela insists it does not want war but warns it will not remain passive in the face of perceived US provocations. The situation leaves the region on edge, with both sides trading warnings that risk pushing an already volatile standoff into dangerous new territory.
CNN
