Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced Monday that he is prepared to declare a national state of emergency in response to what he described as “aggression” from the United States. The announcement follows a series of deadly U.S. military strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats in international waters, which have resulted in at least 17 Venezuelan casualties.
In a televised address, President Maduro stated, “Today the consultation process began to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and protect our people, our peace, and our stability if Venezuela were attacked by the American empire, attacked militarily.” He emphasized that the decree would grant him special powers to mobilize the armed forces and place key sectors—including public services and the oil industry—under military control.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that the decree has been signed and presented to foreign diplomats, asserting Venezuela’s readiness to defend its sovereignty. “Venezuela is united in the defense of our country,” she said. “We will never surrender our homeland.”
The move comes amid heightened tensions following the deployment of eight U.S. warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and F-35 stealth fighters to the Caribbean, as part of what the U.S. claims is an anti-narcotics operation. Venezuelan officials and international observers have condemned the strikes as “extrajudicial killings” and an “undeclared war.”
President Maduro also revealed that he had received “good feedback” from a private conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who reportedly expressed concern over the scale of the U.S. military escalation.
The emergency powers, if enacted, would be valid for 90 days and could be extended for another 90 days under Venezuela’s constitution. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as diplomatic tensions rise.