Khaberni - The Venezuelan military announced on Tuesday that it is deploying with "intensity" throughout the country in response to what it described as "American imperialism," while the Pentagon reported the arrival of an American aircraft carrier off the coast of Latin America to support drug interdiction operations.
Since August, Washington has maintained a military presence in the Caribbean Sea that includes six warships, affirming that its aim is to combat drug smuggling into its territory.
20 air strikes on vessels suspected by the United States of carrying drugs have resulted in the deaths of at least 76 people.
Conversely, Venezuela believes that the U.S. administration uses drug trafficking as a pretext to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and "forcibly change the regime" and seize the country’s oil.
Maduro has repeatedly called for dialogue but affirms he is ready to defend himself, consistently opposing military activities within the country.
On Monday, Maduro affirmed that Venezuela has "the power and influence" to respond to the United States and said "If imperialism strikes and causes harm, an order will be issued for operations, mobilization, and combat for the entire Venezuelan people."
