President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. government of scheming regime change in Venezuela through military threat as the President Donald Trump administration proceeds with a naval buildup in the Caribbean to tackle drug trafficking.
Mr Maduro, who has been declared wanted by the U.S., made this allegation in a press conference on Monday.
“They are seeking a regime change through military threat,” Mr Maduro told journalists before his government’s officials and some military top brass in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, referring to U.S. naval base buildup in the Caribbean.
He added, “Venezuela is confronting the biggest threat that has been seen on our continent in the last 100 years. A situation like this has never been seen.”
The Venezuelan leader maintained that the country has been peaceful under his watch, adding the military is “super prepared” to defend its sovereignty.
Mr Maduro’s allegation that the U.S. is plotting to oust him from office comes as the Trump administration seeks to establish a naval base in the Caribbean to checkmate Latin America’s drug cartels in the region.
While the American government has refused to recognise Mr Maduro’s electoral victory on the grounds that the election was marred by irregularities, the U.S declared Mr Maduro wanted for drug trafficking.
In August, the U.S. government said it confiscated assets worth $700 million linked to Mr Maduro, while placing a $50 million bounty on his arrest.
