Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro ordered the Air Force to “be prepared” for a possible US attack.
Maduro took part in celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of the Bolivarian Air Force in the capital Caracas, according to national press reports, and responded to growing US threats against his country.
Maduro said he ordered the Air Force to “be on alert” and ready to carry out tasks” in connection with a possible attack on Venezuela.
Stressing that they have been exposed to various threats for about 17 weeks, Maduro said: “Imperialist foreign forces (USA) constantly threaten peace in the Caribbean, South America and Venezuela, making false and exaggerated arguments that neither the American public, nor the international community, nor the strong Venezuelan public.”
He noted that the country continues to follow its own path, without sacrificing honor and independence: “Today in Venezuela there are no threats or aggression that could frighten our people. This people, under the leadership of Bolivar, is calmly preparing to defend their homeland, their land, their seas, their skies and their history.”
The US decision on the Cartel de los Soles
The US included the criminal organization Cartel de los Soles, which, according to their claim, led by Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials, on the list of foreign terrorist organizations (FTO).
Venezuela, which does not recognize the existence of the Cartel de los Soles, characterized the US move as an attempt to create a pretext for intervention in the country’s affairs.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and a strike group sent by the US under the pretext of “fighting drug trafficking” reached Latin America.
In response, Venezuelan President Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million militias in the country and readiness to repel any attack.