Cuba warns US actions against Venezuela risk “unimaginable” regional chaos

Cuba has accused the United States of steering towards the violent removal of Venezuela’s leadership, saying Washington’s growing military presence in the Caribbean poses an “exaggerated and aggressive” threat to regional stability.

“We appeal to the people of the United States to stop this madness,” Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Tuesday.

He warned that “the US government could cause an incalculable number of deaths and create a scenario of violence and instability in the hemisphere that would be unimaginable”, adding that such actions would breach international law and the United Nations charter.

The warning comes as President Donald Trump considers further measures against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with the White House refusing to rule out stronger action. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Maduro of overseeing drug smuggling into the US, though it has provided no public evidence to support the claim.

Over the past two months, US forces have bombed 21 boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83 people. Washington says the vessels were involved in drug trafficking, but no proof of narcotics has been released. Legal experts argue that even if drugs were found, such strikes would likely still violate international law.

The American military footprint in the region is now the largest in decades, with around 15,000 personnel deployed across the Caribbean.

While Trump insists he is not seeking to topple the Venezuelan government, developments suggest growing pressure. Reuters reported, citing four US officials, that Washington is preparing a new phase of operations related to Venezuela, with two officials saying options could include attempts to overthrow Maduro.

Last month, Trump authorised the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, and the US continues to maintain a $50m reward for Maduro, a figure that has expanded significantly since Trump’s first term.

Maduro, who has governed since 2013, says Washington is bent on removing him and insists both the Venezuelan military and population would resist any intervention.

Tensions have been further inflamed by the US decision to designate the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation. The term is commonly used to describe alleged corruption among senior Venezuelan officials, though it is not a structured cartel in the conventional sense.

Despite the escalation, Trump told advisers this week that he intends to speak directly with Maduro, though no date has been set.