Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the country is ready to confront "any attack" from the United States as tensions escalate over Washington's military presence in the Caribbean.

His remarks, broadcast Sunday on state-run media, came amid growing friction between Caracas and Washington following U.S. President Donald Trump 's deployment of American naval forces to the region for anti-cartel operations.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and Venezuela's Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

The standoff reflects decades of strained relations between Venezuela and the U.S., marked by sanctions, political disputes, and accusations of interference. Washington has refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro 's presidency since 2019,

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