Venezuela, 30 September (H.S.): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has signaled his readiness to impose a state of emergency in response to increasing US military activity in the southern Caribbean. According to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro has prepared a decree granting himself special powers to handle defense and security matters should the United States take hostile action against Venezuela.

While the decree is reportedly ready, it has not yet been signed.This move follows several deadly US strikes targeting suspected Venezuelan drug vessels, resulting in 14 deaths and condemnation from UN experts as acts of extrajudicial execution.

The US, under President Donald Trump, has deployed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine near Venezuela’s coast, claiming these actions are part of anti-drug trafficking operations but raising concerns of broader intent to pressure Maduro’s government. American officials are also said to be considering targeting traffickers inside Venezuelan territory, according to reports.If enacted, the state of emergency would grant Maduro the authority to temporarily suspend basic rights within Venezuela.

Rodriguez expressed confidence that the Venezuelan population would unite in defense of the nation if the US were to attack. Meanwhile, political tensions remain high, with much of the international community still disputing Maduro’s re-election last year.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar