CARACAS – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government has cautioned Colombia and other nations in the Greater Caribbean region of potentially “tragic consequences” should the united States proceed with military action against Venezuela, following reports that the U.S. has identified potential targets within the country. The warning came during a meeting in Caracas convened by Maduro to address escalating regional tensions, fueled by a perceived increase in U.S. military presence and the possibility of strikes authorized by a future Trump administration.
The gathering underscored growing anxieties within Venezuela and among its allies regarding potential U.S. intervention. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil characterized the U.S. military activity as an ”extravagant military presence” and warned that any “irresponsible” military action by the Trump Administration would be “the first cause of destabilization in the Greater Caribbean.” The Maduro government alleges the U.S. actions are part of a covert plan to instigate regime change and gain control of Venezuela’s natural resources, notably its oil reserves.
Delegations from countries allied with Caracas, including Nicaragua, voiced similar criticisms. Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis moncada asserted that the ”war on drugs” serves as a “geopolitical strategy to justify intervention, the deployment of troops, the systematic violation of sovereignty and the blatant theft of natural resources.” The United Nations has also condemned U.S. operations as a violation of international law, further alleging “extrajudicial executions” of individuals aboard vessels involved in the operations.
The situation unfolds against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical competition in Latin America and the potential for renewed U.S. pressure on Venezuela should Donald trump win the 2024 presidential election. The identified targets for potential U.S. strikes reportedly include Venezuelan military installations, raising the stakes for regional stability.
