Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States on Thursday of conducting a “constant psychological war” against his country.
His remarks, broadcast live on state-run VTV, came amid growing tension over the U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean Sea.
“We are threatened daily by the U.S. empire a daily psychological war. Words back and forth. They move a ship, they move a missile,” Maduro declared.
The accusation adds a new layer to the already tense relationship between Caracas and Washington, particularly as U.S. forces continue operations in waters near Venezuela’s coast.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced earlier in the day that the Venezuelan armed forces were maintaining full deployment along the nation’s coastline.
He said the goal was to reach “the optimal point of coordination and readiness” in response to what Caracas views as a direct threat from the United States.
Moreover, Padrino emphasized that Venezuela’s defensive strategy aims to ensure national sovereignty. “Our forces are ready and fully united to protect our territory,” he said in an interview following the broadcast.
Maduro echoed those sentiments, stressing that the people and military are united at the highest level to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty and independence.
He vowed to act “calmly and rationally,” insisting that his government would not be provoked into conflict.
Meanwhile, Washington insists its Caribbean naval operations are aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking from South America.
The U.S. government claims its forces have targeted several “narco boats” in recent months, allegedly involved in smuggling routes linked to the region.
However, Venezuelan officials strongly reject those claims, calling them a pretext for military pressure.
The government argues that the U.S. naval presence is part of a broader strategy to destabilize the Maduro administration.
Furthermore, according to reports, the U.S. has deployed over 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean to bolster operations against drug cartels.
The Pentagon says these missions demonstrate American resolve and readiness in the region.
Tensions heightened last week when U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela.
He also suggested that Washington was “considering expanding its military campaign to land.”
“We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump told reporters, signaling a possible escalation.
Lawmakers from both political parties in the U.S. have since questioned the legality of these strikes, especially after reports emerged of lethal actions against suspected narcotics boats off the Venezuelan coast.
