Venezuela: The US is Waging an Unprovoked War Against Us

Americas - Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced on Friday that the US military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and the attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels constitute an "unprovoked war." A Colombian minister said Latin America "is worried" about the possibility of Venezuela facing a military attack.

General Padrino Lopez stated during a military exercise broadcast on national television, "This is an unprovoked war. You have seen that people are being executed in the Caribbean Sea, whether they are drug traffickers or not. There is no right to self-defense at the time of execution."

"Such advanced technology and such powerful capabilities cannot intercept a single ship in the Caribbean Sea," the minister continued.

On Wednesday, in response to the US actions, Caracas launched a three-day military exercise on the island of La Orchila, located approximately 65 kilometers from the mainland of Venezuela. This is the large-scale military deployment ordered by Maduro since a month ago when the US sent a naval fleet to the eastern Caribbean Sea. Washington claims this move is aimed at combating drug trafficking.

According to US President Trump, the US has destroyed three drug trafficking vessels since the beginning of this month, resulting in 14 deaths. The US also deployed F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico (the smallest of the four major islands of the Greater Antilles) to support a fleet consisting of seven ships and a nuclear-powered submarine.

Washington accuses Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking and has offered a $5 million reward for his capture. On Thursday, Maduro announced that he would send soldiers to train local residents to use weapons. He condemned "an imperialist plan aimed at overthrowing the regime, with the purpose of establishing a puppet government controlled by the US, stealing our world's largest oil reserves and the fourth-largest natural gas reserves."

Source: rfi

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843755279981898/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.