Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro warned Monday that his country is waging a “great battle for the truth” to preserve peace, accusing foreign powers of escalating military and political pressure against his government.

At a press conference with international media, Maduro said Venezuela had recently been threatened by “the presence of missile boats and a nuclear submarine,” adding that he and senior officials, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, had received personal threats.

He cited an incident involving the USS Jason Dunham, which he said “illegally confronted” a Venezuelan fishing vessel in national waters, calling it a deliberate attempt to “undermine Venezuelan sovereignty.”

“This aggression has a judicial, political, and military nature, which justifies the legitimate defense of the country,” Maduro said. “Our response has been to empower the people of Venezuela, train them, and defend our truth.”

Venezuela facing all-out aggression

The Bolivarian leader described Venezuelans as “honest people and revolutionaries of the 21st century,” arguing that this identity has made the nation a target. He claimed Venezuela faces “all-out aggression,” not just geopolitical “tensions,” and urged citizens to remain united in defense of their sovereignty.

Maduro stressed that empowerment is central to his administration’s strategy, portraying Venezuelans not as passive observers but as active participants in national defense. “We are training the people; we are defending our truth,” he said, framing civic engagement as part of national security.

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He also called on international media to undertake “a great ethical effort to show the truth” about Venezuela, arguing that biased narratives fuel instability. “This is not only a struggle for peace but also a struggle against misinformation,” he said, urging journalists to counter external agendas with responsible reporting.

Maduro’s remarks come amid heightened tensions over maritime incidents and broader disputes with foreign governments. His appeal sought to rally domestic solidarity while challenging how Venezuela’s situation is portrayed abroad, positioning accurate reporting as an essential component of peace and sovereignty. 

Venezuela warns of US escalation

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday warned of Washington’s plans to escalate military tensions in Latin America, accusing the United States of seeking regime change in Venezuela and control over the country’s natural resources.

Rodriguez stated that “the US military presence in the Caribbean is aimed at effecting a regime change in Venezuela and seizing its natural wealth.” She added that following the failure of sanctions and economic blockade policies, Washington has “decided to bring war to this half of the globe,” stressing that any military attack on Venezuela “would ignite instability on a scale unseen across the continent.”

The vice president dismissed US accusations of drug trafficking against Maduro as “a major farce” and “a propaganda campaign to criminalize Venezuela’s legitimate government.” She noted that drug trafficking routes run through the Pacific, and asserted that the US military buildup is part of a broader “imperialist policy to secure control over oil and national resources.”

Maduro deploys troops and mobilizes nation

Rodriguez’s remarks coincided with President Maduro’s announcement of the deployment of 25,000 troops along the Caribbean coast and the border with Colombia, amid escalating tensions with US President Donald Trump.

Thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets in response to Maduro’s call to implement the “Independence 200” plan to defend the nation. The president reiterated his rejection of US sanctions, emphasizing that they constitute “imperialist aggression” intended to subjugate Venezuela and impose a “subservient government.”

Maduro did not specify the number of military, police, or civilian militias that would be participating in the new deployment; however, the Venezuelan government has already announced an increase of 25,000 troops for states along Venezuela's border with Colombia.

Speaking in an early morning state television address from the central coast city of Ciudad Caribia, with his defense minister at his side, Maduro stated that Venezuela is prepared for an armed fight if necessary and that official troops are fully deployed along all coastal and border regions, from the frontier with Colombia across the entire nation.