The Venezuelan leader issued renewed threats during a televised rally as tensions with Washington rise following U.S. enforcement actions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro escalated hostile rhetoric toward the United States this week, declaring in a public speech that his government stands ready to “smash the teeth of the North American empire” amid growing tensions with Washington.
Maduro delivered the remarks during a nationally televised rally marked by theatrical gestures and nationalist symbolism. During the appearance, he sang “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” danced on stage, and urged Venezuelans to “fight back” against what he described as U.S. aggression, a display that appeared intended to project confidence as his government faces increased international pressure.
At one point, Maduro brandished the sword of independence leader Simón Bolívar and called on supporters to remain on “maximum alert,” accusing the United States of attempting to destabilize Venezuela and undermine its sovereignty.
“In these times, things have to be different, but we must always stand like warriors, women and men,” Maduro said in translated remarks, according to the New York Post. “With one eye wide open — and the other one too — working, producing, building, keeping everything running, and ready to smash the teeth of the North American empire if necessary, from Bolívar’s homeland.”
The comments followed U.S. authorities seizing an oil tanker that American officials described as part of a shadow fleet illegally transporting Venezuelan crude in violation of sanctions. Maduro condemned the seizure, alleging the United States had “kidnapped the crew” and “stolen the ship,” and calling the action the start of a new era of “criminal naval piracy” in the Caribbean. He said Venezuela would move to secure its vessels to protect global oil trade.
The rhetoric comes as the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Maduro’s government, tightening sanctions, increasing maritime enforcement, and maintaining criminal indictments against Maduro and senior regime figures over alleged narcotics trafficking.
U.S. officials say recent maritime strikes were aimed at drug-trafficking vessels operating in the region. Reuters has reported that more than 80 people have been killed since September, alongside heightened surveillance and security crackdowns in coastal areas.
Late Thursday, the United States imposed sanctions on three nephews of Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, as well as six crude oil supertankers and their associated shipping companies. The Treasury Department said the vessels engaged in deceptive and unsafe practices that provided financial support to Maduro’s regime.
The United States has offered a multimillion-dollar reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest. President Donald Trump has also raised the prospect of land strikes and the deployment of U.S. forces in Venezuela as part of what he has described as an effort to combat narco-terrorism.
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