Caracas, 16 October (H.S.): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Wednesday fiercely condemned what he described as coups d’etat orchestrated by the CIA, a direct response to United States President Donald Trump’s confirmation of covert operations in the country and the consideration of strikes against cartels on land.

In a televised address, the leftist leader delivered a defiant message following the deployment of US warships to the Caribbean for what Washington calls an anti-drug mission. No to war in the Caribbean… No to regime change… No to coups d’etat orchestrated by the CIA, Maduro declared.

The Venezuelan president’s remarks came after President Trump acknowledged authorizing CIA operations and stated he was contemplating land-based attacks following a series of deadly US strikes at sea. These maritime operations, targeting boats alleged to be transporting narcotics, have resulted in at least 27 fatalities.

In response to the heightened US military pressure, Maduro has ordered military exercises in the country’s largest shantytowns and mobilized the military, police, and civilian militia forces to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty.The Trump administration has accused Maduro of heading a drug cartel and has labeled the targets of its strikes as narcoterrorists, charges that Maduro denies.

In August, Washington increased the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million. The Venezuelan leader, who is widely accused of electoral fraud in last year’s elections, faces intense international pressure led by the United States.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar