Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stated that he plans to declare a state of emergency in the event of “aggression” by the United States (US), which has deployed warships in the Caribbean.
“Today the process of consultations on declaring a state of emergency has begun, in accordance with the Constitution, in order to protect our people, our peace, and our stability if the American empire were to militarily attack Venezuela,” said Maduro, as reported late last night by state television.
Earlier in the day, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced that Maduro had “signed a decree on external unrest” during a meeting with the diplomatic corps.
AFP reported, citing unnamed sources in the Caracas government, that the decree has not gone into effect, and that the “vice president presented the document to show that everything is ready.”
US accuses of drugs, Caracas of “executions”
The US deployed warships to the Caribbean more than a month ago, claiming that at least three boats belonging to suspected drug traffickers from Venezuela had been destroyed, with at least 14 people killed.
US President Donald Trump said at the UN on September 23 that the US is using “military force” to destroy “Venezuelan drug trafficking networks,” which, according to him, are run by Maduro.
President Maduro rejects these accusations, while Caracas speaks of “executions” of fishermen in the Caribbean.
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Source: Nedeljnik; Foto: Wikimedia Creative Commons; Bonnie Cash / Pool ; AP / Ariana Cubillos