On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued an appeal in English to the United States, saying, “No to a crazy war, please,” amid escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas.
This statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to carry out covert operations in Venezuela, coinciding with an intensification of American military efforts against alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
During a meeting with supportive unions, Maduro proclaimed, “Yes to peace, yes to everlasting peace. No to a crazy war, please.”
The United States has deployed warplanes and naval vessels near Venezuela as part of what it refers to as anti-drug efforts, though it has yet to provide evidence that the targets—including eight boats and a submarine—were involved in smuggling activities.
Flight tracking data revealed that at least one American B-1B bomber flew over the Caribbean and Venezuelan coasts on Thursday, marking the second demonstration of American air power within a week.
Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago announced that a U.S. warship is set to visit the country for joint military exercises close to the Venezuelan coastline.
Since the commencement of American strikes on September 2, at least 37 people have reportedly been killed, according to an AFP tally based on U.S. figures.