Maduro։ Armed forces, people ready to defend Venezuela from aggression

The armed forces and the people are ready to defend Venezuela from imperialist threats and aggression, President Nicolas Maduro said at the celebration of the 105th anniversary of Venezuela’s Bolivarian Military Aviation.

"Threats and aggression will not intimidate or take our people by surprise. They are ready to defend their homeland, their land, their seas, their skies, their souls, and their history," the president and commander-in-chief of the Venezuelan armed forces said on Venezolana de Television.

Maduro recalled that "for 17 weeks, foreign imperialist forces have constantly threatened to disrupt peace in the Caribbean, South America, and Venezuela, using false and absurd arguments that even the US public does not believe." The president noted that psychological pressure and immoral imperialist attacks "have awakened patriotic consciousness and incredible resistance in the Venezuelan people."

Washington accuses the Venezuelan government of not doing enough to combat drug smuggling. Reports in the US media have repeatedly suggested that Washington may soon begin striking Venezuelan territory.