Madrid, November 16 (European Press) –
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked the Venezuelan people to mobilize “permanently” in the face of escalating tensions with the United States, which did not rule out taking any action against the Latin American country, which announced on Friday the launch of military exercises on the coast of Trinidad and Tobago.
The Venezuelan president said in front of thousands of people in the streets of Caracas, in statements reported by Telesur: “I call once again on all residents of the eastern states (…) in full popular, military and police integration, to hold a permanent protest and march in the streets while raising the Venezuelan flag high.”
This authorization, according to Maduro, is in response to the “irresponsible” and “threatening” military exercises in the waters near Venezuelan territory, which represent a step in the increasing US deployment in the Caribbean region.
“They say they will do it from Monday to Thursday (the maneuvers). Well, the people of Trinidad and Tobago will see. If they continue to put up with them using their waters and territories to seriously threaten peace in the Caribbean,” the Venezuelan president announced during the swearing-in ceremony for the Bolivarian Inclusive Committees, which aspire to be the basis of the structure of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
For his part, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he has already determined the next steps that his government will take regarding Venezuela and drug trafficking in the Caribbean, stressing that “progress” has been made that he cannot reveal more details about at the present time.
The military threat has increased in recent months in waters near Venezuela with the deployment of ships such as the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford or ongoing attacks on ships in the Caribbean Sea supposedly transporting drugs that have already left more than 70 people dead.
The United Nations, as well as the governments of Venezuela and Colombia, have denounced these practices as extrajudicial killings, and have indicated that the victims will mainly be fishermen.
“Drop your weapons, do not attack your people.”
Opposition member Maria Corina Machado has asked Venezuelan state officials to “lay down their arms” when “the right time comes,” in a message targeting public officials who disobey Venezuelan authorities and rebel in the face of “this barbarism.”
The recent Nobel Peace Prize winner said: “Those who obey shameful orders destroy the lives of their brothers. They feel guilty and cannot look into the eyes of their children or their mothers.”
He also asked that they be a “pride and not a disgrace to his family.” He added: “This day is approaching, join us. Venezuela and your brothers are waiting for you.”
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