In a direct response to reports of renewed US covert operations, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced the creation of new “Comprehensive Defense Zones” along the volatile border with Colombia.
During a televised address on Wednesday, Maduro positioned the move as a necessary defense of national sovereignty and peace. He declared that the zones in the states of Táchira, Apure, and Amazonas are designed to bolster coordination between the military, civilian militias, and local communities to counter any external threats.
“We are a model of dignity, courage, and hard work, a people determined to live in peace and to defend our homeland with honor,” Maduro stated. He emphasized that sovereignty is an “active duty” and called for maximum mobilization from both citizens and the armed forces.
Report Details about US Escalation
The presidential announcement came hours after a New York Times investigation revealed that the Trump administration secretly authorized CIA covert operations aimed at destabilizing Venezuela. The report, citing unnamed sources, claimed the 2024 authorization marks a significant escalation, potentially including deadly strikes on Venezuelan soil.
This plan expands upon previous US military actions in the region, which Washington has justified as anti-narcotics efforts but which Caracas condemns as acts of aggression.
Caracas Condemns “Imperialist Schemes”
Venezuelan officials swiftly denounced the report. The Foreign Ministry issued a statement labeling the revelations a “violation of international law” and an example of “neo-colonial arrogance.”
“These covert schemes will fail just as every other imperialist attempt has failed,” a spokesperson said. “The Bolivarian Republic stands firm – united, sovereign, and prepared.”
Maduro framed the new defense zones as a proactive measure, describing them as “examples of development and resistance” essential for nurturing a “creative and conscious popular resistance” against any foreign intervention.
Source: Agencies (editted by Al-Manar English Website)
