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Maduro to Declare 'Republic in Arms' if US Attacks Venezuela

story

15 hrs ago

Above: Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas on Sept. 1, 2025. Image copyright: Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

story last updated 15 hrs ago

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Venezuela has become a narco-state and a key transit hub for cocaine shipments under Maduro's criminal and illegitimate leadership — posing a threat to the stability of the Western Hemisphere as a whole and the world. The U.S. buildup in the Caribbean is both an effort to rein in maritime drug trafficking and a show of force to the authoritarian Maduro regime. The U.S. doesn't want to start a war.

Atlantic Council

Establishment-critical narrative

Washington has provided no evidence for cartel accusations against Maduro, so this military buildup is just another doomed-to-fail regime change attempt disguised as anti-drug operations. If this was actually about tackling drug cartels, the Trump administration would have ruled out an invasion while cooperating with Venezuela to fight drug trafficking.

AntiWar