Vladimir Padrino López, speaking Thursday, said the Venezuelan military is trying to achieve a “sweet spot” in coordination and readiness to respond to U.S. actions in the region.
He added that Venezuela’s military efforts include “land reconnaissance operations, aerial surveillance, exploration and radio operations, drone surveys, and amphibious exercises” throughout the coastal region.
Early Thursday morning, two U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers flew near the coast of Venezuela.
However, US President Donald Trump denied the flight, saying: “No, that’s not accurate. No, it’s false. But we’re not happy with Venezuela for many reasons, and drugs are one of them.”
President Trump also said that “land is next” in his campaign to stop the suspected flow of drugs from Venezuela into the United States.
He also argued that Congress could continue its attacks on suspected drug traffickers overseas without passing a formal declaration of war.
U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff said, “The president should come to Congress. He is legally required to come to Congress, even though he may not get the answers he expects. Americans do not want another war.”
Similarly, former Republican lawmaker Justin Amash criticized President Trump, saying, “The Constitution does not allow the president to function as the legislative or judicial branch in addition to being the chief executive.”
Last week, at least two U.S. B-52 bombers flew for several hours off the coast of Venezuela in what one senior U.S. official called a “show of force.” President Trump also acknowledged giving the green light to Venezuela’s regime change plan.
The U.S. government has already sent eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and fighter jets to the Caribbean in the name of combating drug smuggling into the United States.
The US military conducted at least nine airstrikes on suspected drug smuggling vessels, killing 37 people.
U.S. Army Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a video on X of the latest U.S. attack, which took place in the Eastern Pacific Ocean rather than the Caribbean Sea, suggesting an escalation of deadly attacks.
On Wednesday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said his country had deployed 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles at “important air defense sites.”
He also stressed that the large stockpile is aimed at guaranteeing “peace, stability and tranquility” for the Venezuelan people.
MNA/