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.”

US drug allegations rejected

The vice president dismissed US accusations of drug trafficking against President Nicolas 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.”

Read more: Venezuela to mobilize 284 battlefronts as US escalates tensions

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.”

Read more: Maduro slams US aggression, rejects 'humiliation' by American Empire