By Spy Uganda
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro renewed calls for peace and declared “absolute loyalty” to the Venezuelan people during a massive rally in Caracas on Monday, as tensions rose over potential U.S. military action.
The show of support came as U.S. President Donald Trump met with his national security team in Washington to discuss what officials described as “next steps” on Venezuela, according to media reports.
Speaking to thousands waving national flags outside the Miraflores Palace, Maduro said Venezuela sought peace, but only one “with sovereignty, equality, and freedom.”
“We do not want a slave’s peace, nor the peace of colonies! Colony, never! Slaves, never!” he said.
Growing U.S. Military Pressure
The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Venezuela, deploying significant military assets to the Caribbean as part of what it calls an anti–drug trafficking operation. Caracas has dismissed that explanation, accusing Washington of preparing to overthrow Maduro.
The U.S. has stationed roughly 15,000 troops in the region and deployed the world’s largest aircraft carrier, while designating the Cartel de los Soles—an organisation it links to Maduro—as a “terrorist” group. Washington has also conducted at least 21 strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, killing at least 83 people.
Experts say the scale of U.S. firepower far exceeds what is typical for anti-trafficking missions. Venezuelan officials argue the United States is pursuing regime change to gain access to the country’s vast natural resources, especially oil.
Maduro on Monday accused Washington of waging a campaign of “psychological terrorism.”
“We have endured 22 weeks of aggression,” he said. “These 22 weeks have put us to the test, and the people of Venezuela have demonstrated their love for the homeland.”
Trump–Maduro Phone Call
Trump confirmed on Sunday that he spoke with Maduro in late November but offered no details, saying only that the conversation neither went “well nor badly.”
Reuters, citing four sources familiar with the call, reported that Trump offered Maduro safe passage out of Venezuela. Maduro, according to the report, said he was willing to leave if he and his family received full legal amnesty, including the lifting of all U.S. sanctions and the end of an International Criminal Court case.
Maduro also reportedly sought removal of sanctions on more than 100 Venezuelan officials accused by the U.S. of human rights abuses, corruption or drug trafficking.
Trump rejected most of those demands but gave Maduro a one-week window to depart the country with his family, Reuters said. That deadline passed on Friday, after which Trump declared Venezuela’s airspace closed, two sources told the agency.
Venezuelans crossing the Simon Bolívar International Bridge expressed mounting concern about the possibility of a U.S. strike on Caracas.
The Venezuelan government has continued deploying military units, particularly around Caracas and the strategic corridor linking the capital to the airport and the coast. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López has showcased air defenses and fighter jets in recent days.
Despite this, officials acknowledge Venezuela’s military is no match for U.S. forces. Analysts say the government’s contingency planning focuses on irregular tactics, including sabotage and guerrilla-style operations, to create instability should a conflict erupt.
While many Venezuelans oppose Maduro, Bo reported, they also fear that a military confrontation could plunge the country into widespread chaos.
