**Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Warns Against Attacks Amid Rising U.S. Pressure in the Region**
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a stern warning against any attacks on his country as the United States intensifies its military and political pressure in the region. Speaking to Al Jazeera on Sunday, Gil urged neighboring states to defend peace and stability, stating, “Any act of aggression against Venezuela is, in fact, an act of aggression against the entire region.”
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department for comment on the developments.
### Why It Matters
This new warning emerges amid a heightened U.S. military posture near Venezuelan waters and an intensified campaign across the Caribbean since September. The operations, involving boat strikes that have killed dozens of Venezuelan nationals allegedly linked to drug trafficking, have prompted sharp criticism.
Washington accuses the targeted individuals of narcotrafficking. However, Venezuela has condemned these actions, claiming they violate its sovereignty and are politically motivated. These operations have also drawn scrutiny from U.N. human rights groups and U.S. lawmakers alike.
President Donald Trump, who authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in the oil-rich nation, has consistently portrayed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as a corrupt authoritarian aligned with U.S. adversaries.
### What to Know
U.S. authorities assert that the targeted vessels were operated by narco-terrorists and cartel members smuggling deadly drugs into the country. However, an Associated Press investigation in Venezuela’s Paria Peninsula revealed that while some of the over 60 individuals killed were involved in drug trafficking, none were cartel leaders or members of organized gangs.
The boats reportedly carried cocaine rather than the far deadlier synthetic opioids responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths annually. Maduro has publicly and repeatedly denied all U.S. accusations of cocaine trafficking involvement.
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has criticized U.S. military actions following the targeting of a Colombian vessel. Petro co-chaired a EU-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) summit in Santa Marta on Sunday, where maritime security and regional stability in the Caribbean were key topics.
Notably, several prominent European leaders opted out of the summit, reflecting broader divisions over the agenda linked to U.S. military operations in the region, according to Euro News.
The joint declaration from the EU-CELAC meeting stated:
“We reiterate our opposition to the threat or use of force and to any action not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations.”
### The Global Dimension
U.S. operations in the Caribbean are increasingly gaining global attention. Russia has announced its readiness to provide military support to Maduro’s government.
Adding to the complex political landscape, Reuters reported that U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a resolution on Thursday aimed at preventing President Trump from launching military action against Venezuela without Congressional approval.
### What People Are Saying
In his statement to Al Jazeera Arabic, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said:
“Venezuela is on alert today, but at the same time it enjoys peace, stability, and economic growth. Venezuela is strengthening its relations with all countries of the world and asks only for its independence and sovereignty.”
On the other hand, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday:
“As we’ve said before, vessel strikes on narco-terrorists will continue until their poisoning of the American people stops.”
Human Rights Watch sent a letter dated November 4 to leaders from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union. The letter urged:
“Participants of the EU-CELAC summit should strengthen judicial and enforcement collaboration between Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe to effectively investigate and prosecute organized crime, oppose recent U.S. strikes against alleged ‘narco-terrorist’ vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, which amount to extrajudicial executions and misuse the pretext of a non-existent armed conflict to justify these unlawful killings.”
### What Happens Next
Although President Trump has not confirmed any immediate plans for military action in Venezuela, his persistent rhetoric surrounding regime change raises concerns about escalating tensions and the risk of a potential confrontation in the region.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on diplomatic efforts and international responses aiming to maintain regional stability while addressing complex security and sovereignty issues.
https://www.newsweek.com/venezuela-minister-us-threat-11019479