Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday warned that eight US military vessels armed with 1,200 missiles were targeting his country.
The United States, which accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel, described the deployment as an anti-drug trafficking operation in the southern Caribbean. No invasion has been announced.
He declared Venezuela in a state of “maximum readiness” to defend itself.
Speaking to international media in Caracas, Maduro described the situation as “the greatest threat our continent has seen in 100 years.”
He said a guided missile cruiser had transited the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Caribbean on Friday night.
“In response to maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum readiness to defend Venezuela,” Maduro said.
He added that over eight million Venezuelans have enrolled as reservists, and Caracas has increased patrols of territorial waters.
Washington has doubled its bounty for Maduro’s capture to $50 million.
The United States and much of the international community have not recognized his re-election in 2018 or 2024, citing allegations of fraud and voter suppression.
Maduro also criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claiming he sought to involve President Donald Trump in a “bloodbath” against Venezuelans.
He vowed that Venezuela would never succumb to blackmail or threats.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali welcomed the US deployment, describing it as a step to neutralize threats to national security.
The two countries remain in dispute over the oil-rich Essequibo region, which comprises two-thirds of Guyana’s territory but is also claimed by Venezuela.
Tensions escalated after ExxonMobil discovered major offshore oil deposits there.
Maduro has faced maximum-pressure policies from Trump since 2017, including oil sanctions, but these measures have not removed him from power.
Analysts believe the US deployment is primarily symbolic, aimed at pressuring Maduro rather than initiating military action.
Last week, Caracas petitioned the United Nations to halt the US military presence in the Caribbean.
Maduro warned that Venezuela is prepared for a period of “armed struggle in defense of the national territory” if attacked.
