Venezuela Launches Nationwide Security Offensive Amid U.S. Accusations
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has initiated a nationwide “special offensive” aimed at bolstering internal security, uniting civilian, military, and police forces in a comprehensive strategy set to roll out across all 24 states and the capital, Caracas, reports 24brussels.
During a televised address on state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), Maduro characterized this initiative as a “new stage” in the campaign against crime. It integrates grassroots community circuits with the established “police-military power” embodied by the cuadrantes de paz — localized security units established under the 2018 Gran Misión Cuadrantes de Paz initiative.
“This is a special offensive… to strengthen our internal security,” Maduro proclaimed, emphasizing that the plan will focus on creating a “concrete popular-military fusion” with ongoing strategies for community safety, security, and crime prevention.
The announcement comes in the wake of escalating tensions with Washington. Last week, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a reward of $50 million for information leading to Maduro’s capture, alleging his affiliation with “foreign terrorist organizations such as Sinaloa and the Cartel of the Suns.” These claims have been vehemently rejected by Venezuelan governmental and military officials.
In a separate meeting with the diplomatic corps in Caracas, Foreign Minister Yván Gil condemned what he described as a “serious military threat” from the United States, accusing the U.S. of utilizing the fight against drug trafficking as a guise to impose a “new scenario of colonial war” in Latin America. Furthermore, he urged global leaders to denounce what he termed “terrorist acts” promoted by Washington and its accomplices within the Venezuelan right.
The geopolitical ramifications of this security offensive and the accompanying rhetoric reflect a profound escalation in the already fraught relationship between Venezuela and the United States, positioning Maduro’s government as a staunch defender against foreign intervention under the guise of anti-narcotics efforts.
The convergence of internal security operations with heightened external pressures indicates a multifaceted response from the Venezuelan government, underscoring the ongoing complexities of regional stability and national sovereignty.
