Venezuelan President Maduro Plans State of Emergency Over US Military Strikes

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced plans to declare a state of emergency in response to what he described as U.S. aggression following multiple deadly U.S. strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats. Maduro initiated a consultation process and is expected to sign a decree granting himself special powers for defense and security matters, allowing for troop mobilization and temporary control over public services. The U.S., under President Trump, has deployed eight warships, a nuclear-powered submarine, and other military assets to the Caribbean as part of anti-drug trafficking operations, which many see as aimed at pressuring Maduro. U.S. forces have destroyed at least three boats, killing 14 to 17 people, in strikes condemned by U.N. experts as extrajudicial executions. Caracas accuses the U.S. of waging an undeclared war and denies allegations that Venezuela is a major source of cocaine to the U.S. Maduro's government has placed the country on high alert and is preparing for potential military conflict amid heightened tensions.