Venezuela's disputed president Nicolas Maduro has dramatically brandished the sword of Latin American liberator Simon Bolivar while vowing to defend his nation against what he called "imperialist aggression" from the United States.
Ceremonial Defiance in Caracas
Speaking before thousands of supporters in Caracas during a ceremony marking the 200th anniversary of the presentation of the Sword of Peru to Simon Bolivar, Maduro delivered a fiery address. The Venezuelan leader warned that his country must be prepared to defend "every inch" of its territory from foreign threats.
"We must be ready to defend every inch of this blessed land from imperialist threat or aggression, no matter where it comes from," Maduro declared at the event. He emphasised that "the homeland is sacred, the homeland must be respected" and stated unequivocally that "failure is not an option" in facing what he described as "new imperial threats of the international far right."
Escalating US Military Operations
The defiant speech comes amid reports that the United States plans to launch a new wave of operations affecting Venezuela in the coming days. US military forces have already conducted a series of strikes in international waters that have killed at least 80 people.
American authorities claim these attacks target vessels suspected of drug trafficking, noting that several of the boats have departed from Venezuela. However, Maduro's government has consistently described the operations as an assault on Venezuelan sovereignty, with critics labelling the deaths as extrajudicial killings.
Adding to the controversy, reports emerged last week that a top military lawyer had raised concerns about the legality of the Trump administration's strikes on "drug boats" in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The senior judge advocate general posted at U.S. Southern Command in Miami reportedly warned that the strikes could amount to extrajudicial killings and legally expose American service members involved in the operations, though these concerns were allegedly ignored by higher-ups.
Regional Tensions and Resource Disputes
Venezuelan minister Delcy Rodriguez has accused the United States of coveting her country's natural resources, stating: "They want Venezuela's oil and gas reserves. For nothing, without paying. They want Venezuela's gold. They want Venezuela's diamonds, iron, bauxite. They want Venezuela's natural resources."
The situation has drawn regional concern, with Cuba accusing the US of intending to violently overthrow Maduro's government. Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez characterised the American military presence in the region as "exaggerated and aggressive" and made a direct appeal: "We appeal to the people of the United States to stop this madness. The US government could cause an incalculable number of deaths and create a scenario of violence and instability in the hemisphere that would be unimaginable."
The Trump administration does not recognise Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader following his controversial third presidential election victory last year, which occurred amid allegations that the opposition had actually defeated him. This political dispute continues to fuel the escalating tensions between the two nations.
