Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made his first public appearance on Monday, putting to rest rumors about his potential escape amid rising tensions with the United States. The US has increased its naval and military presence in South America under the pretext of combatting drug trafficking.
According to Thai News Agency, Maduro presented his annual awards to coffee producers in Miranda, east of Caracas, during a live broadcast. He highlighted the growth of Venezuela’s coffee industry to 4.5 million hectares, despite years of US economic sanctions. The Venezuelan government claims to export coffee globally, including to the US, and has attributed its financial difficulties to the US sanctions imposed since 2019.
Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had spoken with Maduro by phone, though he provided no details. This followed reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal about the conversation. Trump clarified that his recent comments on considering a blockade of Venezuela’s airspace did not imply imminent air strikes, but he noted the unfriendly relations with Venezuela.
Tensions between Venezuela and the US have escalated following the deployment of US warships and 15,000 troops to South America, allegedly to combat drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government views this as an attempt to overthrow Maduro.
Venezuela’s National Assembly has established a special commission to investigate the US’s alleged shooting down of vessels off Venezuela’s coast, which reportedly resulted in over 80 deaths. The investigation will address a report by The Washington Post about orders given by US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth related to these incidents. Venezuela contends that since the two countries are not at war, these actions amount to murder.
Additionally, Maduro has sent a letter to the Secretary-General of OPEC, accusing the US of seeking to forcibly seize Venezuela’s oil reserves. The letter warns that US threats pose a danger to the stability of Venezuela’s oil production and the global market.