Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has sharply accused the United States of deliberately escalating tensions and seeking to provoke a military conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of Venezuela’s Aerospace Defense Command, López condemned the expanding U.S. military presence in the Caribbean as part of what he described as an aggressive strategy against Venezuela and the region at large.

“The American people must understand that they have been turned into a tool by their own governments,” López said. “The objective of the United States is to wage war in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

López warned that any armed conflict with the United States would have devastating consequences for Venezuela and the entire region, and called for a political solution to rising tensions.

“We are closely monitoring attempts to intimidate us. However, we say with great humility that they should not miscalculate with us. We are ready to defend this country,” he emphasized.

Tensions between Caracas and Washington have sharply increased in recent months as the United States has significantly expanded its military deployment in the Caribbean. This buildup includes the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group, along with multiple warships, submarines, and advanced aircraft — a deployment described by analysts as the largest U.S. military presence in the region in decades.

The Pentagon and the U.S. Southern Command have framed the operation as part of a counter-narcotics campaign aimed at combating transnational crime. However, critics — including regional governments, international organizations, and legal experts — argue that the scale and nature of the deployments far exceed routine anti-drug missions and instead signal preparation for potential confrontation with Venezuela.

Tensions were further inflamed on December 10, 2025, when U.S. authorities seized the Venezuelan-linked oil tanker Skipper off the Venezuelan coast under sanctions enforcement actions, a move condemned by Caracas as “piracy” and an attempt to undermine Venezuelan sovereignty and regional energy security.

In addition to this high-profile seizure, the United States has carried out multiple military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean that it claims were involved in drug trafficking. These operations, part of a broader U.S. maritime campaign begun in September, have resulted in dozens of casualties and drawn sharp criticism from international observers who warn such actions could further destabilize the region.

U.S. military actions and the expanding naval presence have triggered concern and condemnation across Latin America and beyond. Some governments have warned that the increased militarization of the Caribbean could violate international law and risk dragging the hemisphere into conflict. The United Nations has called for restraint from both Washington and Caracas to avoid actions that could threaten peace.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has responded to the heightened U.S. posture by rallying national defense forces and mobilizing millions of militia members, asserting that Venezuela is prepared to resist any external aggression.

Beyond military tensions, diplomatic relations remain strained. Venezuela has criticized unilateral U.S. actions — including the suspension of migrant repatriation flights — as contradictory and harmful, underscoring deepening friction between the two governments.

As the standoff persists, regional stability hangs in the balance, with Washington maintaining its pressure campaign under the banner of security and counter-crime operations, and Caracas warning that such tactics represent a direct threat to its sovereignty and the peace of the Caribbean basin. (ILKHA)