Maduro Vows Armed Response with Cuba and Nicaragua to Foreign Intervention Threats

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced plans for an armed offensive in collaboration with Cuba and Nicaragua in response to calls for international intervention from former Colombian presidents Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque. Speaking during the closing of the World Festival of the Antifascist International in Caracas, Maduro declared, "We will take up arms to defend the right to peace and sovereignty." This statement marks a notable escalation as Venezuela faces ongoing allegations of electoral fraud following Maduro's inauguration for a third term amid a legitimacy crisis.

Maduro's speech was characterized by a defiant tone, directly challenging his adversaries, and further asserting that he would "wait for you on the battlefield." The tense atmosphere follows significant political turmoil, with the opposition claiming an electoral victory for Edmundo González Urrutia, which Maduro's government disputes.

The Venezuelan regime is reportedly intensifying military displays, including public proclamations of loyalty from the National Armed Forces, signaling a commitment to defend the current government. Concurrently, human rights organization Foro Penal reported over 75 arrests of political leaders in early 2025, amid government accusations of terrorist plotting against opposition figures.

As Venezuela grapples with increasing internal and external pressures, the situation remains precarious for Maduro's administration, which has faced ongoing international isolation and skepticism regarding its democratic legitimacy.

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