Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he was ready to declare a state of emergency in response to what he called an “attack” after a deadly American attack on a small boat in international waters off the coast of Venezuela.
According to Al Jazeera, he announced the consultation process, recognising special defense and security forces for 90 days, renewable, allowing for national military mobilization and temporary military authority over public services and the oil industry. Vice President Delsy Rodriguez explained the measure to foreign diplomats.
The move follows under the flag of anti-drug operations in Puerto Rico, the major US deployments of the Caribbean, 88 warships, nuclear-powered submarines and F-35 fighters near Venezuela.
The US military bombed at least three ships and killed 17 people, but UN experts and international scholars criticized the action as extrajudicial killings of individuals who have not been charged in court. Caracas accused Washington of “an undeclared war,” and UN and US data show that Venezuela is not a significant source of cocaine for the United States.