CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Nicolás Maduro has vowed to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty as tensions rise over the deployment of U.S. warships in the Caribbean. He urged President Donald Trump to engage in dialogue to avoid conflict.

The remarks late Friday came three days after the Trump administration said U.S. forces carried out a strike in the Caribbean, sinking a boat it claimed was from the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua smuggling drugs to the U.S. The strike killed 11 people, and the American account has been questioned by Caracas.

“Venezuela is always ready for dialogue, but we demand respect,” Maduro said in a speech at a military base in Caracas. “None of our differences justify a high-impact military conflict in South America.”

The strike has ruffled feathers across Lat

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