Maduro Threatens State of Emergency as US Strikes Raise Tensions

Venezuela’s political standoff with Washington just went nuclear-level tense. President Nicolas Maduro said Monday he’s ready to declare a state of emergency after a wave of deadly US attacks on small Venezuelan boats the Pentagon insists were drug traffickers.

“Today the consultation process began … to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and protect our people, our peace, and our stability if Venezuela were attacked by the American empire, attacked militarily,” Maduro announced in a televised address.

Earlier, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez told diplomats that Maduro had already signed a decree giving himself “special powers” over defence and security if the US “dares to attack our homeland.” The move hands sweeping control of the oil sector and even public services to the military, while giving Maduro the option to mobilise soldiers across the country.

The saber-rattling comes as President Donald Trump sent eight US warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and F-35 stealth fighters to waters just off Venezuela — the largest US naval show of force in the Caribbean in years. Washington insists it’s part of a counter-narcotics campaign, but both UN and US data suggest Venezuela isn’t a major cocaine source.

So far, the US military has bombed at least three boats in international waters, killing 17 Venezuelans. Caracas has branded it an “undeclared war,” while UN experts have called the strikes “extrajudicial killings.”

Trump, meanwhile, has upped the pressure with his own threats. He warned Venezuela would pay an “incalculable” price if it doesn’t accept the return of migrants he described as “prisoners” and “people from mental institutions.”

For his part, Maduro rejected Washington’s drug-trafficking claims and insisted he wants ties with the US to be “historic and peaceful.” But with 90-day emergency powers now on the table — and renewable for another 90 — the confrontation looks set to intensify.