The Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó lashed out this Tuesday against Nicolás Maduro in a message posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account, in which he responded to the recent statements made by the Chavista leader regarding an alleged request for extradition to the United States.
“Maduro, answer me: What do you think will happen first? That Trump deports me as you asked or that the drug cartel boss falls in Miraflores… You know the answer,” wrote Guaidó alongside a video in which he recalls that Maduro has publicly requested his extradition to the South American country.
Guaidó feels supported by Washington and reiterated that the Venezuelan leader has been identified by President Trump as the head of the so-called "Cartel of the Suns", a narcoterrorist organization.
Maduro condemns U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean
The message from Guaidó arrives a day after Nicolás Maduro held a national and international press conference to warn about what he termed as “the greatest military threat in a hundred years” against Venezuela.
In the statement, he claimed that eight American ships, a nuclear submarine, and at least 1,200 missiles are positioned in the southern Caribbean and "are aimed at Venezuela." He appeared visibly angry while accusing Washington of carrying out an excessive provocation under a strategy of “maximum military pressure”.
During his intervention, the leader described the deployment as "an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral, criminal, and bloody threat", and assured that his country has activated "the highest level of readiness for defense".
The U.S. confirms an attack against a vessel linked to Venezuelan drug trafficking
On the same Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed that military forces from his country conducted a lethal attack against a vessel that had departed from Venezuela and was operated by a narcoterrorist organization.
"Today, the U.S. military carried out a lethal attack in the southern Caribbean against a drug boat that had departed from Venezuela," published Rubio on X.
The announcement was supported by President Donald Trump, who explained that the ship was carrying a large amount of narcotics to the U.S.
Rising tension in the region and warnings to Trump
In his appearance, Maduro also warned about the influence of the Secretary of State in this U.S. military maneuver in the Caribbean: “Beware of Marco Rubio, who wants to stain his hands with blood by carrying out a massacre against the Venezuelan people,” he said.
Despite the accusations, Maduro acknowledged that there are still channels of communication with Washington, but he described the dialogue as "damaged and unsuccessful". He mentioned the diplomat John McNamara and the former ambassador Richard Grenell as recent interlocutors.
"The end of Maduro will be the beginning of the end in Cuba."
The opposition leader María Corina Machado assessed the recent events as "decisive" for the political transition in Venezuela. In her view, the fall of Maduro will trigger a domino effect in the region and "will dismantle the political and intelligence framework between Caracas and Havana."
Meanwhile, the CELAC has called for an urgent meeting of foreign ministers to address the growing tension, and the Cuban regime expressed its “unconditional support” for chavismo in the face of what it termed “imperialist threats”.
"Regional problems require coordinated and joint action from member states, based on dialogue, not interference, cooperation, solidarity, and respect for sovereignty," stated Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez on X.
United States maintains a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to the capture of Maduro, whom it considers the leader of a criminal organization with direct links to international drug trafficking.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Tension between the U.S. and Venezuela
What caused the recent tension between the United States and Venezuela?
The tension was provoked by a U.S. military attack on a drug-laden ship from Venezuela, which sparked an angry response from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who denounced a U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean as a threat to his country.
What is the "Cartel de los Soles" and what is its relationship with Nicolás Maduro?
The "Cartel of the Suns" is a criminal organization that, according to the United States, is connected to international drug trafficking and led by high-ranking officials of the Venezuelan government, including Nicolás Maduro. Washington considers Maduro to be the leader of the Cartel of the Suns and has offered a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to his capture.
How has the international community reacted to the situation in Venezuela?
The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has called an urgent meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the rising tension. Additionally, the Cuban regime has expressed its unconditional support for Maduro's government, while countries like Trinidad and Tobago have offered support to Guyana in the event of Venezuelan aggression.
What role does the United States play in the current situation in Venezuela?
The United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean as part of a bolstered anti-drug operation and accuses Maduro's regime of being involved in drug trafficking. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the U.S. is "on the offensive" against organized crime in the region.
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