In the most recent US strike on Tuesday, six people were killed when a boat was targeted near Venezuela’s coast.
On Truth Social, Trump said that “intelligence confirmed the vessel was trafficking narcotics, was associated with illicit narcoterrorist networks, and was transiting along a known DTO [drug-trafficking organisation] drug-trafficking route”.
As has been the case in previous strikes, US officials have not specified what drug-trafficking organisation was allegedly operating the vessel, or the identities of those aboard.
Maduro took to the airwaves on Wednesday night to warn against escalation.
“No to regime change, which reminds us so much of the endless, failed wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and so on,” said the Socialist leader.
“No to CIA-orchestrated coups d’état.”
He added: “Listen to me, no war, yes peace, the people United States.”
Earlier in the day Maduro ordered military exercises in the Caracas suburb of Petare and in neighbouring Miranda state on Wednesday.
In a message on Telegram, he said he was mobilising the military, police and civilian militia to defend the oil-rich country.
Foreign Minister Yván Gil said on Telegram that Venezuela “rejects the warmongering and extravagant statements of the president of the United States”.
“We view with extreme alarm the use of the CIA, as well as the military deployments announced in the Caribbean, which amount to a policy of aggression, threat, and harassment against Venezuela,” he added.
Trump has deployed eight warships, a nuclear-power submarine and fighter jets to the Caribbean in what the White House says is an effort to crack down on drug smuggling.
In a leaked memo recently sent to US lawmakers, the Trump administration said it had determined it was involved in a “non-international armed conflict” with drug-trafficking organisations.
US officials have alleged that Maduro himself is part of an organisation called the Cartel of the Suns, which they say includes high-ranking Venezuelan military and security officials involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied the claims.
Mick Mulroy, a former CIA paramilitary officer and Assistant Undersecretary of Defense, told the BBC: “In order to conduct covert action, there needs to be a presidential finding for the CIA specially authorizing it, with specific actions identified.”
Mulroy added that such a finding would mark a “substantial increase” in efforts against drug trafficking organizations.
“Perhaps a real life ‘Sicario’,” he said, referring to a 2015 film that depicts US operatives launching clandestine operations against drug cartels in Mexico.
Additional reporting by Ione Wells
