Maduro Rejects US “Imperialist Ambitions,” Calls for Peace as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared on Wednesday that his country seeks peace in the Caribbean, rejecting what he described as US “imperialist ambitions” that threaten regional stability. Speaking at a meeting of the National Sovereignty and Peace Council in Caracas, Maduro said, “We do not want war in the Caribbean or in Latin America — we only want peace.”
He accused Washington of expanding its military presence across the region to impose “a single way of thinking, a single system, and a single authority,” adding that “this era is long over.” Maduro also blamed the CIA for “negative events” in countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Argentina, and Chile, urging Latin American nations to unite against foreign interference. He further condemned the “racist and xenophobic discourse” that associates Venezuelan identity with crime, asserting that “the Venezuelan people are dignified, compassionate, and hardworking.”
Maduro’s comments came amid rising tensions over increased US military activity near Venezuelan waters. A decree signed earlier by US President Donald Trump expanded the deployment of American forces to counter Latin American drug cartels, leading to the positioning of US warships and submarines off Venezuela’s coast in late August. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Washington was prepared for operations in Venezuela, including potential regime change. In response, Maduro mobilized 4.5 million militia members, saying the country was ready to defend itself. Caracas and international observers have condemned US naval actions as violations of international law carried out under the pretext of anti-drug operations.
