Maduro Declares State of Defense as US Warships Deploy Near Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on March 4, 2024, that eight United States military vessels, equipped with a total of 1,200 missiles, are targeting Venezuela. In response, Maduro declared a state of “maximum readiness to defend” his nation. The US has characterized the deployment of these warships in the southern Caribbean as part of an anti-drug trafficking operation, without any explicit threats of invasion.

During a press conference in Caracas, Maduro expressed his concerns regarding the military presence, calling it “the greatest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years.” He specifically highlighted the deployment of a guided missile cruiser, which was recently observed passing through the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Caribbean. “In response to maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum readiness to defend Venezuela,” Maduro stated, emphasizing the mobilization of over eight million Venezuelans as reservists.

Rising Tensions and Regional Implications

The Venezuelan leadership has already initiated increased patrols of its territorial waters. Meanwhile, the US government has intensified its efforts to apply pressure on Maduro, recently doubling the bounty for his capture to $50 million. The US has not recognized Maduro’s re-elections in both 2018 and 2024, citing fraud and voter suppression allegations.

Maduro, known for his vocal opposition to US policies, asserted that communication channels between his government and the United States have deteriorated. He warned that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading efforts to provoke violence against the Venezuelan people, describing the potential consequences as a “bloodbath.”

Interestingly, the US military deployment has received support from Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali, who welcomed any measures aimed at eliminating threats to regional security. Relations between Georgetown and Caracas have become increasingly strained over the oil-rich border region of Essequibo, which Venezuela claims despite being administered by Guyana for over a century. This tension has intensified since the discovery of significant oil reserves by ExxonMobil in the area a decade ago.

Potential Outcomes and International Response

Maduro has been a focal point of US foreign policy since the start of Donald Trump’s presidency in 2017. The Trump administration’s strategy, labeled “maximum pressure,” has included sanctions and an oil embargo, aiming to force Maduro from power. Analysts suggest that the current military deployment is unlikely to lead to an invasion but is intended to heighten pressures on the Venezuelan government.

In a bid to address these rising tensions, Caracas has called upon the United Nations to intervene, demanding an immediate halt to the US military deployment. Maduro further declared that Venezuela is prepared for “a period of armed struggle in defense of the national territory” should an attack occur.

The developments continue to unfold as both regional and international stakeholders monitor the situation closely, highlighting the complex interplay of military, political, and economic factors in the ongoing crisis.