The U.S. and Venezuela appear to be heading towards a standoff with neither country indicating a willingness to back down.

The Venezuelan government on Monday mobilized more than four million militia troops seemingly in response to reports of U.S. naval movements in the region.

“We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. We liberated them. We guard and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America,” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said in a televised address Monday.

Three U.S. Navy missile destroyers have been deployed to the waters off Venezuela, U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday.

“President Trump has been very clear and consistent. He’s prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs fro

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