Caracas, Venezuela – October 24, 2025 – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday leveled sharp accusations against the United States, claiming that Washington is engaging in "constant psychological warfare" against his nation through threats, military maneuvers, and rhetoric aimed at regime change. Speaking at a public event broadcast live on state-run Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), Maduro described the US as an "empire" that issues daily provocations, including the movement of warships and missiles in the region.
"We are threatened daily by the US empire — a daily psychological war. Words back and forth. They move a ship, they move a missile," Maduro declared, addressing a crowd of supporters and military personnel in Caracas. He emphasized that these actions are part of a broader strategy to destabilize his government, which has been in power since 2013. Maduro asserted that the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) remain "united at the highest level" to safeguard the country's sovereignty and independence. "We will act with calm, with rationality, and with the nerve of steel that characterizes us," he added, vowing no retreat in the face of external pressure.
The president's remarks come amid heightened military activity in the Caribbean Sea, where the US has significantly increased its naval presence. Earlier on Thursday, Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced that the FANB is maintaining a "full deployment" along the country's extensive coastline. This includes coastal patrols, aerial surveillance, and coordinated exercises to achieve what he termed the "optimal point" of readiness and inter-agency coordination. Padrino López, a key figure in Maduro's administration and a longtime ally, stated that these measures are a direct response to the US naval buildup, which Caracas interprets as a veiled threat intended to force a change in leadership.
"The imperialists believe they can intimidate us with their ships and aircraft, but our armed forces are prepared to defend every inch of our territory," Padrino López said during a press conference at the Ministry of Defense in Caracas. He highlighted the integration of Venezuela's air defense systems, naval units, and ground troops in joint operations, underscoring the military's loyalty to the socialist government. This deployment builds on previous alerts issued by Venezuelan authorities, who have been monitoring US activities in the region for months.
The US military operations in the Caribbean have been framed by Washington as part of an anti-narcotics campaign. According to statements from the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), approximately 4,500 Marines and sailors have been deployed aboard vessels including destroyers, littoral combat ships, and amphibious assault ships. These forces are supporting enhanced interdiction efforts targeting alleged drug trafficking routes originating from Venezuela. US officials claim that Venezuela has become a major transit hub for cocaine and other illicit substances destined for North America and Europe, often with the complicity of high-ranking officials in the Maduro regime—a charge that Caracas vehemently denies.
In recent weeks, US forces have conducted several lethal strikes on suspicious vessels off the Caribbean coast. Pentagon spokespersons have described these as precision operations against "narco boats" suspected of carrying large quantities of narcotics. One notable incident involved the sinking of a speedboat intercepted near the Venezuelan island of Margarita, where US Navy helicopters reportedly fired upon the vessel after it failed to heed warnings. US authorities stated that the boat was unmanned or abandoned post-strike, with no casualties reported, but evidence of drug cargo was recovered. Similar actions have targeted go-fast boats and fishing trawlers modified for smuggling.
Venezuela's government has rejected these claims outright, labeling the operations as acts of aggression and violations of international law. Foreign Minister Yván Gil issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the strikes as "piracy" and accusing the US of fabricating evidence to justify intervention. "These are not anti-drug operations; they are provocations designed to create a pretext for invasion," Gil said. The Venezuelan Navy has increased patrols in response, with frigates and patrol boats shadowing US vessels at a distance to avoid direct confrontation.
The escalating situation has drawn bipartisan scrutiny in the United States. Lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties have questioned the legality of the strikes under international maritime law and US domestic statutes. During a House Armed Services Committee hearing last week, Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), the committee's ranking member, expressed concerns that the operations could escalate into unintended conflict without clear congressional authorization. "Are we at war with Venezuela? If not, under what authority are we sinking boats in international waters?" Smith asked Pentagon officials.
On the Republican side, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) echoed calls for oversight, warning that while countering drug trafficking is essential, the actions risk broadening into a regime-change effort without proper debate. "We need to ensure these are targeted at cartels, not becoming a backdoor to another endless engagement," Rubio stated in a floor speech. The strikes have also prompted discussions about the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), with critics arguing it does not extend to operations against state actors like Venezuela.
Adding fuel to the fire, US President Donald Trump last week announced that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert actions inside Venezuela. In remarks to reporters at the White House, Trump described the move as part of an "intensifying pressure campaign" to remove Maduro from power. "We've got the sea very well under control now," Trump said. "We are certainly looking at land, because the drugs don't just float—they come from the ground, from the labs, from the corrupt officials protecting them."
Trump's comments signal a potential expansion of US involvement beyond naval operations. Intelligence sources indicate that CIA activities could include intelligence gathering, support for opposition groups, and disruption of alleged narco networks linked to Venezuelan officials. The administration has imposed sanctions on over 100 Venezuelan individuals and entities since 2019, freezing assets and restricting travel. Recent additions target military leaders accused of human rights abuses and corruption.
Venezuela's opposition, led by figures like Juan Guaidó—who was recognized by the US and dozens of countries as interim president in 2019—has welcomed the pressure but urged caution to avoid civilian harm. In a statement from exile, Guaidó called for international support to restore democracy, blaming Maduro's government for economic collapse, hyperinflation, and mass emigration affecting over 7 million Venezuelans.
Regionally, the crisis has ripple effects. Colombia, sharing a porous border with Venezuela, has bolstered its own military presence amid fears of spillover violence or refugee influxes. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for dialogue, warning against unilateral actions that could destabilize South America. The Organization of American States (OAS) convened an emergency session on Wednesday, where member states debated a resolution condemning the US strikes, though it failed to pass due to divisions.
Economically, Venezuela continues to grapple with sanctions that have crippled its oil industry, once the backbone of its revenue. US measures have blocked Citgo, a Venezuelan-owned refinery in the US, and restricted petroleum exports. Maduro's government relies increasingly on alliances with Russia, China, and Iran for military and economic support, including arms sales and oil-for-loans deals.
As of Thursday evening, no direct clashes have occurred between US and Venezuelan forces, but both vigilantism persists. Satellite imagery analyzed by independent monitors shows US carrier strike groups operating within 200 nautical miles of Venezuelan waters, while Venezuelan Su-30 fighter jets conduct routine intercepts. Analysts warn that miscalculations could lead to escalation.
Maduro concluded his speech by rallying national unity: "The Bolivarian Revolution will not kneel before any empire. We will defend our peace with bolts of lightning if necessary." The international community watches closely as the standoff enters a critical phase, with implications for regional stability, global energy markets, and the broader US foreign policy in Latin America.
