Saturday, March 29, 2025
CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced his readiness to implement a state of emergency, citing the direct threat of “aggression” from the United States. This decision follows a surge in deadly US attacks on vessels suspected of drug trafficking near Venezuelan waters.
In a televised address on Monday, President Maduro stated that a consultation process had begun to enact the state of emergency, which he claims is necessary “to protect our people, our peace, and our stability if Venezuela were attacked by the American empire.”
Earlier in the day, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that Maduro signed a decree granting himself “special powers” as head of state for defense and security matters. This sweeping executive action would:
These enhanced powers would remain active for 90 days, with the option for one 90-day renewal, as permitted by the Venezuelan constitution.
Maduro’s decree comes as the US has significantly increased its military presence off the Venezuelan coast. President Donald Trump has deployed a formidable naval fleet, including eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and F-35 stealth fighters sent to the Caribbean and Puerto Rico.
The US maintains that this is a large-scale anti-drug operation intended to curb narcotics flow, a claim contradicted by data from the US and the United Nations suggesting Venezuela is not a primary source of US-bound cocaine.
Crucially, the US military has already executed air strikes against at least three small boats in international waters, claiming they were involved in drug trafficking. These bombings have reportedly killed 17 Venezuelan people, prompting Caracas to accuse the US of launching an “undeclared war.”
Further escalating the situation, NBC News reported last week that US military officials are preparing potential plans to launch air raids specifically targeting drug traffickers operating inside Venezuela.
Despite the conflict, Maduro rejected the drug trafficking accusations and requested a “historic and peaceful” relationship with the US. The US President, however, has also publicly warned that Venezuela will face an “incalculable price” if it refuses to repatriate Venezuelan immigrants described by Trump as “prisoners” and “people from mental institutions.” Furthermore, international legal experts argue that the US bombing of boats in international waters constitutes “extrajudicial killings” of individuals not convicted in a court of law.
