Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he is ready to declare a state of emergency if the United States launches an attack against his country. In a televised address Monday, Maduro warned Caracas was preparing to activate constitutional provisions allowing the mobilization of the armed forces, nationalizing key industries, and closing borders if Washington escalates militarily.
“We are preparing along three lines: the comprehensive defense of the nation, the active resistance of the people, and the permanent offensive of an entire country,” Maduro said. His government already mobilized militias across Venezuela and staged military drills with fighter jets in a show of defiance.
Marines showcase firepower in Puerto Rico
Meanwhile, the U.S. Marine Corps is flexing its readiness as Marines operate close to Venezuelan territory. The Corps recently posted images on its official X account showing Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-25s) conducting maneuvers on a beach in Arroyo, Puerto Rico — less than 600 miles from Caracas.
While Washington has framed the buildup as part of counter-narcotics operations, the deployment of LAV-25s suggests that the military is also preparing for land-based operations. The eight-wheeled amphibious vehicles carry three-man crews, can transport six additional troops, and are armed with 25mm Bushmaster chain guns. Designed for rapid assaults, reconnaissance, and command and control, the vehicles expand U.S. options in the Caribbean.
The LAV-25s are a part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), which is attached to the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The ARG/MEU has been training extensively in the region. Exercises included amphibious assaults, ship-to-shore logistics, and air support drills using Marine attack helicopters and Harrier jets.
Expanding US force presence
The amphibious training coincides with a significant U.S. naval presence. According to the Pentagon, three guided-missile destroyers — the USS Jason Dunham, the USS Gravely and the USS Stockdale — are operating in the Caribbean, alongside the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie and the littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
On the airpower front, the U.S. deployed ten F-35 stealth fighters to Puerto Rico, with missions aimed at interdicting narcotics trafficking networks. President Donald Trump said the operations are designed to disrupt narco-terrorists and other nefarious actors. The White House repeatedly accused Maduro of ties to international drug cartels. Caracas consistently denies the allegations.
Washington’s mixed messaging
President Trump publicly downplayed talk of regime change in recent weeks, saying “we’re not talking about that.” However, reports from The New York Times indicate that some White House officials are pressing for more aggressive action, including potential strikes inside Venezuela.
Trump already authorized military strikes against suspected smuggling boats, one of which killed 11 people earlier this month. The administration claims the vessels were tied to the Venezuelan-based criminal network Tren de Aragua, though no evidence was made public.
The growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean underscores both deterrence and escalation risks. While the Trump administration frames the deployments as part of its war on drugs, the scale of the buildup — involving warships, stealth fighters, and amphibious assault forces — signals to allies and adversaries alike that Washington is keeping all options on the table.
Caracas condemns military build-up
Maduro denounced the military deployments as provocative and destabilizing, urging Washington to abandon what he calls “violent regime change in Venezuela and in all of Latin America.” He insists Venezuela remains open to dialogue, even sending a letter to President Trump offering direct talks.
Despite his calls for negotiation, Maduro warned Venezuelans to brace for confrontation. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that an emergency declaration would give the government sweeping powers to defend national sovereignty.
A region on edge
In the last few weeks, U.S. counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean primarily targeted small smuggling boats. The introduction of amphibious vehicles, carrier-based aircraft, and large-scale amphibious exercises represents a shift toward a more flexible posture — one that could pivot from counter-drug missions to broader security operations, including potential intervention in Venezuela.
As both sides harden their positions, the situation highlights the growing intersection of drug enforcement, regional instability, and great power competition in Latin America. For Venezuela, the message from Washington is clear: the U.S. military has the capability and readiness to act, whether or not regime change is officially on the agenda.
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