Political situation in Venezuela

Maduro: US the biggest threat to the continent in 100 years

Venezuela is facing the biggest threat to Latin America in 100 years. This was stated by the country's President Nicolás Maduro at a rare press conference on Monday, news agencies report.

Maduro, who is accused of leading a drug cartel, claims that the United States has eight military ships equipped with 1,200 missiles that threaten the country.

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have increased in recent weeks after Trump and his administration sent warships to the Caribbean Sea. The United States says the operation is aimed at reducing migration and securing the country's southern border.

The Venezuelan president has expressed concern that the United States is preparing an invasion. No such statements have been made by the Trump administration.

Venezuela: The majority of drugs are not transported here

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil says the United States is painting a false narrative when the country justifies the military ships in the Caribbean Sea by saying that drug trafficking must be stopped, according to the AP. The United States believes that the warships are there to crack down on cartels that smuggle drugs into the country.

In connection with a meeting with other Latin American foreign ministers, Gil says that 87 percent of the cocaine produced in Colombia is transported through the Pacific Ocean. Smugglers take only five percent of the drugs through Venezuela, according to the minister.

Gil believes, just like the President Nicolás Maduro, who was wanted by the United States, that the United States threatens the entire region.

– Let's immediately demand an end to this deployment, he says, according to the news agency.