Venezuelan President Maduro seeks peace as US escalates military action, says ‘no crazy war please’
The President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro on Thursday pleaded against a “crazy war” as a result of an escalating US military campaign against alleged drug cartels in Venezuela, including President Maduro whom Trump had accused of heading a cartel and on whom the US President had placed a $50 million bounty for his arrest.
Maduro made the comment after US President Donald Trump said he had authorized covert action against the South American nation in a military campaign targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific.
“Yes peace, yes peace forever, peace forever. No crazy war, please!” Maduro said in English, in a meeting with allied unions.
The United States has deployed stealth warplanes and navy ships as part of its anti-narcotics efforts.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump said: “We’re not happy with them. They’ve emptied their prisons into our country.
“We’re not going to necessarily ask for a declaration of war. We’re just going to kill people who come into our country.”
The US strikes, which began on September 2, have killed at least 37 people, according to an AFP tally based on US figures.
Regional tensions have flared as a result of the campaign, with Maduro accusing Washington of seeking regime change.
The government in Trinidad and Tobago, located just off Venezuela’s coast, announced on Thursday that a US warship would dock in its capital from October 26-30, with its foreign ministry stating that a unit of US Marines would conduct joint exercises with its defense forces.
Trump said last week that he had authorized covert CIA action against Venezuela and was considering strikes against alleged drug cartels on land, accusing Maduro of heading a drug cartel, a charge the Venezuelan leader has denied.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, who is overseeing military exercises along Venezuela’s coast said the US military deployment in the Caribbean and its intelligence unit the CIA will fail in their attempts.
“We know the CIA is present. They may deploy — I don’t know how many — CIA-affiliated units in covert operations… and any attempt will fail,” Padrino said.
AFP and Horse’s Mouth News
