Maduro vows to declare a ‘republic in arms’ if US forces attack Venezuela
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday said he “would constitutionally declare a republic in arms” if the South American country were attacked by forces that the United States government has deployed to the Caribbean.
His comments during a news conference come as the US government this week is set to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels.
The US Navy now has two Aegis guided-missile destroyers – the USS Gravely and the USS Jason Dunham – in the Caribbean, as well as the destroyer USS Sampson and the cruiser USS Lake Erie in the waters off Latin America. That military presence is set to expand.
Three amphibious assault ships – a force that encompasses more than 4,000 sailors and Marines – would be entering the region this week, a defence official told Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to describe continuing operations.