Maduro calls for ‘peace’ as tensions rise in the Caribbean: Video
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro struck a markedly conciliatory tone during a weekend rally in Miranda, urging supporters to embrace “peace” even as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Addressing a large crowd on the outskirts of Caracas, he referenced John Lennon’s Imagine and briefly sang along, telling younger Venezuelans to reflect on its message. “What a beautiful song. The lyrics are for fashion. Young people, look up the lyrics. It's an inspiration for all time,” he said.
Maduro’s appeal for calm comes at a moment of heightened friction with the United States, whose increased military presence in the Caribbean has fuelled concern in Caracas. Washington argues the build-up is part of its regional counternarcotics strategy, while Venezuelan officials insist the manoeuvres amount to foreign pressure aimed at destabilising the government.
During the rally, Maduro criticised what he described as mounting external threats, warning supporters that the country must remain vigilant. He framed the presence of foreign warships near Venezuelan waters as part of a wider attempt to intimidate the nation, while reaffirming that Caracas does not seek confrontation and continues to call for regional stability.
He also directed criticism at neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the government of staging military drills close to Venezuelan territory. “The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has once again announced irresponsible exercises, sending its vessels off the coast of the State of Sucre for military exercises that are intended to be threatening to a republic like Venezuela, which is not intimidated by anyone,” Maduro said, presenting the operations as part of a pattern of external pressure.
Meanwhile, US military actions in the Caribbean have intensified. US Southern Command reported its 20th strike on a vessel allegedly involved in narcotics transport this week, bringing the reported death toll from operations since September to 80. Regional concerns have grown following incidents in which civilian casualties were reported, including an attack in October where searches for survivors were later suspended by Mexican authorities.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
