Maduro Calls for Peace Amid Escalating US Military Campaign Near Venezuela

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has called for peace and urged the United States to avoid escalating military conflict amid a rising U.S. campaign against alleged drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. This campaign, authorized by U.S. President Donald Trump, includes covert operations and strikes on vessels suspected of drug smuggling, resulting in at least 37 deaths, though critics including Human Rights Watch have condemned these actions as unlawful extrajudicial killings. Maduro condemned what he termed a "crazy war" and highlighted Venezuela's defensive capabilities, including 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles deployed in key positions. Despite heightened tensions and U.S. military deployments such as stealth warplanes and navy ships, the U.S. has not publicly released conclusive evidence of drug trafficking by the targeted vessels. The situation has also drawn attention from regional neighbors, with Trinidad and Tobago announcing a U.S. warship docking and joint exercises with U.S. Marines. This military escalation has fueled accusations from Maduro that Washington seeks regime change, while Trump insists on continuing operations against drug traffickers without a formal declaration of war from Congress.