Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of attempting to topple his government to transform the nation into a "colony." In a televised address, he flatly rejected Washington’s recent threats and oil blockades, labeling them "diplomacy of barbarism."
Speaking on Wednesday (December 17), Maduro claimed that Washington is trying to impose a "puppet government" in Caracas that "wouldn't last 47 hours."
Maduro characterized US President Donald Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuela as "warmongering." He further alleged that the primary objectives of Washington’s actions are to dismantle Venezuela’s constitution, undermine its sovereignty, and seize its vast natural resources.
"They want regime change in Venezuela to install a puppet government," Maduro stated. "This would hand over our constitution, our sovereignty, and all our resources to them, effectively turning our country into a colony. This will never happen; it will not be allowed to happen."
Escalating Tensions and Naval Blockades
These comments come in the wake of President Trump's announcement of a blockade targeting "unauthorized" tankers carrying Venezuelan crude oil.
Last Tuesday, President Trump designated Nicolás Maduro’s government as a "foreign terrorist organization." Simultaneously, he imposed a ban on prohibited oil tankers entering or exiting Venezuela, declaring that a massive naval fleet has completely surrounded the country.
