Maduro vows to declare a republic in arms' if US forces in the Caribbean attack Venezuela

"Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday said he would constitutionally declare a republic in arms if the South American country were attacked by forces that the United States government has deployed to the Caribbean. His comments during a news conference come as the U.S. government this week is set to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. The U.S. has not signaled any planned land incursion by the thousands of personnel being deployed. Still, Maduro's government has responded by deploying troops along its coast and border with neighboring Colombia, as well as by urging Venezuelans to enlist in a civilian militia."

"The U.S. Navy now has two Aegis guided-missile destroyers the USS Gravely and the USS Jason Dunham in the Caribbean, as well as the destroyer USS Sampson and the cruiser USS Lake Erie in the waters off Latin America. That military presence is set to expand. Three amphibious assault ships a force that encompasses more than 4,000 sailors and Marines would be entering the region this week, a defense official told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe ongoing operations."

"The deployment comes as President Donald Trump has pushed for using the military to thwart cartels he blames for the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into U.S. communities and for perpetuating violence in some U.S. cities. On Monday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, citing a United Nations report, told his counterparts in various Latin American countries that the deployment of U.S. maritime forces is built on a false narrative as 87% of cocaine produced in Colombia departs"

Nicolás Maduro warned he would constitutionally declare a republic in arms if Venezuelan territory were attacked by U.S.-deployed forces in the Caribbean. The United States is increasing maritime assets near Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels, including multiple destroyers and three amphibious assault ships carrying over 4,000 sailors and Marines. The U.S. has not indicated a planned land incursion. Venezuela has responded by deploying troops along its coast and the Colombia border and urging citizens to join a civilian militia. Venezuelan officials described the deployment as unjustifiable and cited a U.N. report on cocaine flows.

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