CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has signed a decree granting himself expanded security powers in response to what his government describes as the growing threat of a military incursion by the United States, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced on Monday.
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| Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro holds a press conference, in Caracas |
The measure marks the latest escalation in soaring tensions between the two nations, with Maduro publicly accusing the U.S. administration of plotting to overthrow him.
According to Rodriguez, the decree will allow President Maduro to mobilize the armed forces across the entire country and grants the military operational control over essential public services and the nation's critical oil industry.
This move comes as the United States has deployed a naval fleet to the Caribbean. While Washington maintains the deployment is for combating regional drug trafficking, the Venezuelan government views it as a direct provocation.
In recent weeks, U.S. forces have also attacked several vessels they claimed were carrying illegal narcotics from Venezuela, resulting in fatalities among those on board. Experts have raised questions about the legality of these strikes under international law.
The Venezuelan government's public stance of defiance is contrasted by private attempts at de-escalation. Maduro reportedly sought reconciliation with the White House, sending a letter to his U.S. counterpart earlier this month in which he proposed direct talks. In the letter, Maduro rejected U.S. accusations that Venezuela plays a major role in the drug trade and told the U.S. President he desired a "historic and peaceful" relationship between the two countries.
However, concerns in Caracas were further inflamed by a report from NBC News on Friday, which cited sources stating that U.S. military officials are actively drawing up plans to strike alleged drug-trafficking targets located inside Venezuela.
"What the U.S. government, the warlord Marco Rubio, are doing against Venezuela is a threat," Vice President Rodriguez told a group of diplomats during a meeting on Monday.
In preparation for what its leaders have termed a potential U.S. invasion, the Venezuelan military has been conducting highly visible exercises with volunteer civilian militia members in recent days, with soldiers instructing citizens on the use of weapons.
The U.S. State Department has not yet provided an immediate response to requests for comment on the new decree.
According to Venezuela's constitution, the special powers granted to Maduro will be in effect for a period of 90 days, with the option for a 90-day renewal.
