Venezuela terms US naval buildup a ‘criminal threat’

Maduro says Venezuela faces its greatest threat in 100 years, insists the nation is peaceful and won’t bow to pressure

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro claimed Monday that eight US military vessels "with 1,200 missiles" were targeting his country, denouncing an "absolutely criminal, bloody threat."

The United States, which accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel, has announced a deployment of warships to the southern Caribbean in an anti-drug trafficking operation, and has made no public threat to invade Venezuela.

Speaking at a rare press conference with international media, Maduro said Venezuela faced “the greatest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years.” He added that while his country is peaceful, it “will not bow to threats.”

US officials have insisted the mission is aimed at combating cartels and have made no public threat of invading Venezuela.

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Tensions between Washington and Caracas have escalated in recent weeks. U.S. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on drug cartels central to his administration’s efforts to curb migration and secure the southern border.

Maduro, along with senior officials such as Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, has dismissed U.S. accusations and claims the naval buildup is a pretext for intervention. “A situation like this has never been seen,” Maduro told journalists and military officers.

In August, the United States doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, citing alleged drug trafficking ties and links to criminal organizations.