Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of preparing for "military aggression" against his nation, asserting Venezuela's right to self-defense under international law. Speaking at a press conference on September 15, 2025, Maduro declared the diplomatic ties between the two countries "broken" and specifically denounced U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the "lord of death and war."
This escalation in rhetoric follows the U.S. deployment of military assets in the Caribbean, ostensibly for anti-drug cartel operations. The U.S. administration, under President Trump, announced on September 8, 2025, a strike against a "drug-carrying boat" that resulted in the deaths of eleven individuals identified as members of the Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan cartel designated as a "terrorist" organization by the U.S.. Venezuela has condemned these actions, particularly an incident on September 13, 2025, where a Venezuelan fishing boat was reportedly boarded by a U.S. vessel within its territorial waters. Venezuela's Foreign Minister described the boarding as "illegal and hostile," stating that 18 armed American personnel occupied the vessel for eight hours.
In response to perceived threats, President Maduro initiated a general mobilization of the population on August 21, 2025, involving militiamen, reservists, and civilians to bolster national defense. This mobilization, estimated at 4.5 million personnel, is framed as a defensive measure, though some analyses suggest it is a symbolic display of national cohesion. The U.S. military's expanded presence in the Caribbean, including F-35B fighter jets and multiple naval destroyers, underscores the heightened geopolitical tensions. The U.S. has also significantly increased the bounty for Maduro's capture to $50 million, accusing him of leading a drug trafficking network.
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have been deteriorating, marked by reciprocal accusations and military posturing. The U.S. has designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization due to its transnational criminal activities, including human smuggling and drug trafficking. The ongoing situation remains precarious, with the international community closely observing potential further escalation.