Caracas: Venezuela has deployed warships and drones to patrol its coastal region. This step has been taken amid increasing tension with the US. The US Donald Trump administration sent three warships and 4,000 marines to Venezuela's border last week, talking of curbing drug trafficking. After this, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said that he will not bow down to the US and will respond to it.
Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has released a video on social media on Tuesday. He said that drone deployment and naval patrols have been started on the Caribbean coast. This includes sending large ships to Venezuela's territorial waters. On the other hand, after sending three warships to the Caribbean, the US is sending a guided missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered submarine to the region. This is expected to increase tensions.
Petition filed in the United Nations
On Tuesday, Venezuela filed a petition with the United Nations seeking intervention in this dispute. Venezuela has demanded from the United Nations that the US military deployment in the Caribbean be stopped immediately. The tension between US President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is not new. Even during Trump's first presidential term, his stance on Maduro was tough.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of being the leader of the cocaine smuggling gang Cartel de los Sols. Donald Trump has adopted a policy of pressure on Venezuela even after becoming President for the second time in January this year. This includes oil sanctions but he has failed to oust Maduro from power.
Nicolas' tough stance
In response to US threats, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that he would deploy 4.5 million militia fighters. He said that his country will not be intimidated by America's threats and all necessary steps will be taken to protect its people. He has also announced the deployment of drones and ships.
