Maduro Accuses US of “Fabricating War” as Pentagon Sends Aircraft Carrier to Caribbean

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the United States of "fabricating a war" on Friday, denouncing a Pentagon announcement deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean as an aggressive escalation aimed at provoking conflict in Latin America. Speaking to state broadcasters, Maduro declared, "They are fabricating a new eternal war; they promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war that we are going to prevent," framing the move as a violation of Washington's post-election pledges for peace. The rhetoric intensified amid rising tensions, with Maduro's government viewing the naval presence as a direct threat to sovereignty, especially given Venezuela's ongoing economic crisis and political isolation following disputed 2018 and 2024 elections that drew international condemnation.

The U.S. military buildup, which began in September under President Donald Trump's directive, targets "narco-terrorists" operating in the region, according to Pentagon statements, but has drawn sharp criticism for its humanitarian toll. The campaign has involved 10 F-35 stealth fighters and eight Navy vessels conducting strikes on suspected drug-running boats, resulting in over 40 deaths—predominantly civilians, including fishermen, as reported by affected families and Latin American governments. On Thursday, Washington announced joint exercises with Trinidad and Tobago, including the docking of the USS Gravely destroyer in Port of Spain from October 26 to 30, where U.S. Marines will train alongside the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. This proximity to Venezuela's coast has heightened Caracas's alarms, with Maduro allies in the region, such as Cuba and Nicaragua, echoing calls for de-escalation.

The deployment reflects Trump's broader "America First" strategy, emphasising hemispheric security against transnational crime networks that exploit Venezuela's instability, where hyperinflation and sanctions have fuelled illicit economies. Critics, including human rights groups like Amnesty International, argue the operations lack transparency and proportionality, potentially violating international law by endangering non-combatants in international waters. Venezuela's foreign ministry has lodged formal protests with the United Nations, urging mediation, while regional bodies like the Organization of American States remain divided, with Brazil and Colombia expressing cautious support for anti-drug efforts but wariness of militarisation.

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As the USS Gravely's arrival looms, diplomatic channels appear strained, with no immediate talks scheduled between Washington and Caracas. Maduro's defiance, bolstered by alliances with Russia and Iran for military aid, risks a proxy standoff, reminiscent of Cold War-era frictions in the Americas. The situation underscores the volatile interplay of drug interdiction, great-power rivalry, and domestic politics, where U.S. actions could either curb trafficking or ignite broader instability, prompting calls from European allies for restraint to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in an already fragile neighbourhood.

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