Venezuelan President Maduro Condemns U.S. Military Actions as Aggression

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro publicly denounced recent U.S. activities as deliberate aggression against his country, clarifying that the incidents do not represent mere tensions but a sustained assault. During a press conference with senior military officials, Maduro condemned the United States for what he described as judicial, political, diplomatic, and military aggression.

Maduro highlighted the escalation of the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean under President Donald Trump’s administration, which is reportedly aimed at combating drug trafficking. This month, a U.S. military strike resulted in the death of 11 individuals and the sinking of a Venezuelan vessel alleged by the U.S. to be transporting illegal narcotics.

"This isn"t tension. It is an aggression all down the line, it"s a judicial aggression when they criminalize us, a political aggression with their daily threatening statements, a diplomatic aggression and an ongoing aggression of military character," Maduro said.

He further stated that bilateral communications with the U.S. have effectively been severed, accusing the American government of abandoning dialogue due to threats of violence and blackmail. However, he noted some minimal communications remain to facilitate the return of Venezuelan nationals from the United States.

The Trump administration has provided limited details regarding the recent military action, despite demands from members of the U.S. Congress for clarification. Meanwhile, Venezuelan authorities dispute U.S. claims that those killed were linked to the Tren de Aragua criminal gang, asserting that none of the casualties belonged to the group.

Maduro has accused the U.S. of attempting to undermine his presidency, a claim underscored by ongoing U.S. support for the Venezuelan opposition, which contests Maduro"s re-election last year.

Additionally, Maduro raised concerns about a recent incident over the weekend where a U.S. destroyer allegedly intercepted, boarded, and occupied a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel for eight hours within Venezuela"s Special Economic Zone. He warned the U.S. appears to be "looking for an incident" amid the already heightened tensions.

These developments mark a significant deterioration in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with diplomatic channels largely disrupted as both sides remain entrenched in their respective positions.