Venezuela Denounces US Military Exercises in Trinidad and Tobago as a Provocation

The General Secretary of Venezuela's United Socialist Party (PSUV), Diosdado Cabello, denounced on Monday that the United States is using joint military exercises with Trinidad and Tobago, conducted off the Venezuelan coast, as a clear "provocation" amid escalating aggressions against Caracas.

During a press conference, the Bolivarian leader questioned the decision by Washington and Port of Spain to place the maneuvers "right in front of the Venezuelan coast" despite the availability of other areas in Trinidadian territory.

A Campaign of "Maximum Pressure"

Cabello stated that these exercises are the latest step in a campaign of "maximum pressure" and lies designed to fabricate a pretext for a military aggression against Venezuela. The leader asserted that the White House has lost credibility, citing the collapse of narratives such as the now-defunct "Tren de Aragua" and "Cartel of the Suns." He compared this strategy to the dissemination of lies about alleged weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, which justified an aggression that cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

The PSUV leader confirmed that the US objective remains forcing a change of government, a goal he warned "will not be easy" for them to achieve. He emphasized that the intensification of external pressure only serves to expose internal "traitors" who are betting on military aggression as a solution.

In this same vein, he referenced opposition figure Leopoldo López, a fugitive from justice, for having requested invasions against the nation. Cabello emphasized that this action is considered a very serious offense under the Venezuelan Constitution. Furthermore, he indicated that the request to strip him of his nationality is a measure that aligns with current constitutional provisions.

National Security on Alert

On another front, Cabello confirmed the recent capture of mercenaries and the seizure of "CIA function manuals," reaffirming that Venezuela is on alert and that security is a "cross-cutting axis" for the defense of national sovereignty.

The also Venezuelan Vice President for Policy, Security, Citizenship, and Peace took the opportunity to distinguish Venezuela's actions in the fight against drug trafficking, pointing out that the country intercepts drugs without committing extrajudicial executions, a practice he attributed to the United States.

Regional Concerns and Internal Organization

The leader welcomed the concern expressed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva regarding regional threats, highlighting that it is crucial for the largest nation in the region to understand that aggressing Venezuela affects the entire zone. This regional backing adds to the "rejection from the entire world" towards the interfering and aggressive actions that the US Government has carried out in the Caribbean region.

Finally, Cabello assured that, despite the threats, the Bolivarian revolution is working to preserve the peace and tranquility of all Venezuelans. He stated that the people continue to organize, as demonstrated by the extraordinary results of the national popular consultations, the next edition of which was called for November 23. "The people participate and decide," commented Cabello, "that is why we will continue to support them," he concluded.