On September 1, President Nicolás Maduro held a press conference attended by journalists and social activists from around the world, both in person and online. During the event, Maduro denounced recent U.S. military and political threats and emphasized the unity of the Venezuelan people and armed forces.
Maduro stressed that Venezuela has years of experience combating drug cartels and defending national sovereignty in the process. He noted that under the 2015 “Anti-Drug Aircraft Interception Law,” more than 400 aircraft have been neutralized to date, with drug seizures surpassing 70% this year alone. He added that the armed forces and militias are currently engaged in operations against drug networks in 164 locations across the country, carrying out sovereignty defense missions by sea, land, and air.
The president accused the United States of hypocrisy, pointing out that Colombia has long been the world’s largest cocaine producer and that Albanian mafias have recently taken control of Ecuadorian ports to expand large-scale trafficking. Despite this, he argued, Washington ignores the real sources of the problem while scapegoating Venezuela. Maduro also recalled that Colombia’s Guajira region served as a training ground for mercenaries who attempted an invasion of Venezuela in 2020, underscoring U.S. and Colombian responsibility.
The sharpest remarks were directed at U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. Maduro branded Rubio a “warmonger,” saying, “Rubio seeks to drag the United States into a bloodbath across South America. His hands will be stained with the blood of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.” He further alleged that Rubio aims to burden former President Donald Trump with the responsibility for a future war in the region, warning that such an outcome would be remembered as a historic disgrace.
Maduro concluded by reaffirming Venezuela’s commitment to peace but vowed that the nation would never surrender if attacked. “We are the heirs of anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggles. If aggression comes, the entire republic will rise in arms to defend itself. We will never bow down,” he declared. Addressing Washington, he added that Venezuela is willing to share its “real experience” in the fight against drug trafficking, but insisted that the country will not yield to threats or foreign interference.
