Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sharply condemned Washington after new U.S. military deployments and a raised bounty targeting him intensified tensions between Caracas and Washington.

Earlier this month, the United States increased the reward for Maduro’s capture to $50 million, tying it to long-standing drug trafficking charges. The U.S. Justice Department accuses him of leading a criminal network known as the “Sunshine Cartel,” which it claims smuggled hundreds of tons of cocaine into the United States over two decades.,

This week, U.S. sources confirmed that three Aegis-class guided-missile destroyers were en route to waters near Venezuela, with media reports suggesting up to 4,000 Marines could also be deployed.,

Speaking before lawmakers, Maduro denounced the pressure campaign as a violation of international law.,

“The threats they are making against Venezuela—regime change, military terrorist attacks—are immoral, criminal, and illegal. Anyone who attacks one Latin American nation attacks all,” he said.,

In response, Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million militia members across the country and urged mass rallies over the weekend to oppose what he called U.S. attempts to destabilize South America.

Washington has refused to recognize Maduro’s last two elections, labeling them illegitimate. In 2020, during Trump’s first term, U.S. prosecutors indicted Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials on “narcoterrorism” charges, accusing them of conspiring to use drug money to undermine the United States.

Despite the mounting pressure, Maduro expressed gratitude to nations that have voiced support for Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“We thank everyone who has rejected Washington’s attempts to drag South America into armed conflict,” he declared.

The standoff underscores growing uncertainty in the region, as Venezuela braces for potential confrontation while rallying international allies against U.S. actions. (ILKHA)