Venezuela has launched a massive military drill in response to the deployment of a U.S. naval fleet in Latin American and Caribbean waters. President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington of eyeing Venezuela’s natural resources and seeking to fragment the nation.

Maduro said a formal complaint has been lodged with the United Nations over the U.S. violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. Under his direct supervision, thousands of Special Revolutionary Operations Forces participated in the exercise, showcasing advanced combat maneuvers, mountain warfare, and live-fire drills with modern weaponry.

“The Venezuelan people are ready to resist imperialism. The gringos want our wealth; they want to break our country into pieces,” Maduro declared. He announced that another nationwide drill will take place later this week.

Earlier, the U.S. had dispatched three destroyers, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, and 4,500 naval troops to Venezuelan waters in a mission officially described as countering drug trafficking. In retaliation, Venezuela deployed warships along its coasts and mobilized militias across the country.

The United States has doubled the reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, up from the previous $25 million.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Maduro of collaborating with criminal organizations such as the Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. In response, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil dismissed the move as a “laughable attempt to divert attention from real issues” and reiterated Venezuela’s stance: “We will not sell our nation's honor.”

Maduro and several top Venezuelan officials were indicted in 2020 during the Trump administration for alleged involvement in “narco-terrorism” and other criminal conspiracies.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk of being an agent of the US government and imperialist Europe. Maduro criticized Türk for failing to act on the plight of 252 Venezuelan citizens detained in El Salvador after deportation from the US. Despite promises to engage Washington, Türk has not intervened. This comes amid stringent US immigration policies under President Trump, resulting in mass deportations, including over 4,000 immigrants expelled to Venezuela and revoked humanitarian status for 500,000 immigrants from several countries.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, praising Iran’s military prowess in response. Maduro declared that the Zionist regime underestimated Iran’s capabilities, noting that Iran has now proven its military superiority on the global stage. He also expressed condolences over the deaths of senior Iranian officials and dismissed what he called “empty threats” from Israeli leaders, adding that Israel has been reduced to mere intimidation tactics.

Venezuela has strongly denounced the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran, aligning itself with nations like Saudi Arabia and Turkey. President Nicolás Maduro condemned the attack as a breach of international law and labeled Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu the “Hitler of the 21st century.” He described the strikes as “neo-Nazi Zionism” and urged the world to stand against such aggression. The Israeli operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” killed at least 78 people, including senior Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists.