CARACAS, Venezuela , 25 October (H.S.): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday accused the United States of manufacturing a pretext for war as the Pentagon confirmed the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean. The action marks a significant escalation of a regional anti-drug campaign initiated by President Donald Trump.

In a statement to state broadcasters, Maduro declared that the US is fabricating a war that we are going to prevent. His comments directly responded to the increased American military presence near Venezuela’s maritime borders. The US operation, launched in September, is officially aimed at countering narco-terrorists in Latin America.

The campaign has already involved a formidable deployment, including 10 F-35 stealth warplanes and eight US Navy ships. According to reports, military strikes on at least 10 boats have resulted in over 40 deaths, with governments and families identifying most of the deceased as civilians, including fishermen.

Adding to the heightened regional tensions, Washington also announced joint military exercises with Trinidad and Tobago. The USS Gravely, an American destroyer, is scheduled to dock in Port of Spain from October 26 to October 30 for joint training operations between a contingent of US Marines and the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar