Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sworn in on Monday “absolute loyalty” To the Venezuelan people, amid escalating tensions with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Maduro, flanked by other senior officials, addressed A … Crowd in front of the presidential palace, after the government called a march to perform for the new local leaders of the United Socialist Party, which is currently in power.
“Be certain, as I swore before the body of our leader Chavez before bidding him farewell, (…) I swear to you Absolute loyalty even after we can live “This is a beautiful and heroic story,” Maduro said, referring to his predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Tensions between the two countries have been rising for months, with US attacks on suspected drug smuggling ships in the Caribbean, Trump’s repeated threats to expand military operations on the ground, and the designation of the Sun Cartel, a group the Trump administration says includes Maduro, as a foreign terrorist organization. Maduro has denied any criminal activity. Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Monday that President Trump will meet with his senior advisers to discuss Venezuela, after confirming on Sunday that he had spoken with Maduro.
Maduro was accompanied by his wife, Celia Flores, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who wore a red baseball cap with a logo. “Doubt is betrayal” embroidery, as well as by other senior officials.
The Venezuelan president stressed that Venezuela’s “national strength” in the 21st century depends on “its people, Their consciences, their institutions, and their guns The President stressed his decision to build this country above all difficulties.
The Venezuelan National Assembly suspended an extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the creation of a committee tasked with investigating the boat attacks. The association’s press office stated that the session was postponed to Tuesday, which is the usual day of discussion.
US forces have carried out at least 21 attacks on suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.