U.S. Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has fiercely rebutted accusations from Diosdado Cabello, a prominent Chavista leader, who attempted to link her and opposition leader María Corina Machado to drug trafficking finances. In a statement shared on X, Salazar dismissed as "ridiculous" the notion that a "corrupt and oppressive narco-military" figure like Cabello could accuse her and Machado of receiving funds from drug cartels.
Salazar asserted that such claims evoke "laughter and secondhand embarrassment," and argued that the Chavista regime acts out of "nervousness and terror" due to the United States' unprecedented resolve to dismantle the transnational criminal operations led by Cabello and dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Standing firmly with the Venezuelan people, Salazar expressed solidarity with "brave women" like Machado, whom she described as representing "the future of a free and prosperous Venezuela" against the "misery" sustained by the Chavista regime. This confrontation arises amidst escalating political tensions in Venezuela, where the opposition persists in defying Maduro's government.
In a prior statement, Salazar had already urged to "abandon the cowards who have plundered, oppressed, and divided the country," supporting Machado's call to "disobey tyranny." Meanwhile, Machado herself declared on X that the Chavista regime clings to power through "lies, blackmail, hate, and violence," but emphasized that the dignity of the Venezuelan people has stood against authoritarianism.
Venezuelan Tensions and Military Movements
Machado urged public employees, military personnel, and citizens to defy a regime she labeled as criminal and isolated, noting that "empty squares across Venezuela herald the approaching future." On Wednesday, during his weekly program Con el Mazo Dando on state-run VTV, Cabello declared that Venezuela is prepared to face "whatever comes, no matter how tough," directly referencing the movement of U.S. ships, submarines, and marines encircling the Caribbean under the guise of an anti-drug operation.
The statement followed the Maduro government's complaint to the United Nations, warning that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy a "missile cruiser" and a "fast attack nuclear submarine" to the Caribbean, which Caracas perceives as a direct provocation and a "serious threat to regional peace and security."
U.S. Military Presence in the Caribbean
In response, Venezuela has deployed warships, drones, helicopters, and surveillance points along the Caribbean Sea and the Colombian border under the "Catatumbo Lightning" operation. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed the mobilization of over 15,000 troops.
Washington, on the other hand, has made its intentions clear. According to international media, the Trump administration dispatched the missile cruiser USS Lake Erie, the submarine USS Newport News, three destroyers, and approximately 4,500 marines, along with spy planes to the Caribbean, ostensibly to curb drug trafficking. The Washington Post reported that the flotilla also includes two landing ships, a cruiser, an amphibious assault ship, and a littoral combat ship, carrying helicopters, Coast Guard detachments, and federal agents specializing in drug interdiction.
The Chavista narrative dismisses this as a pretext. Venezuela maintains it has no illicit crops and accuses the U.S. deployment of being a geopolitical strategy to pressure Maduro's regime into concessions. "This has no technical justification; it's tactical pressure," warned Phil Gunson, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.
On Thursday, Maduro sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, denouncing an "unprecedented level of threat" from the U.S. due to its military deployment in the Caribbean, urging it to call on Washington to cease these actions and fully respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of the Latin American nation.
Amid rising tensions, Cuba has aligned itself closely with its Venezuelan ally. Leader Miguel Díaz-Canel promised "unconditional support" to Maduro, condemning the "imperialist threats" from the United States, thereby reinforcing the historical alliance between Havana and Caracas.
Key Questions on U.S.-Venezuela Tensions
What are the accusations against María Elvira Salazar?
Diosdado Cabello accused María Elvira Salazar of being linked to drug trafficking finances, an allegation she has vehemently denied.
How has the U.S. responded to Venezuela's military deployments?
The U.S. has sent a military flotilla to the Caribbean, including a missile cruiser and submarines, ostensibly as part of a campaign against drug trafficking, which Venezuela views as a provocation.
What is the "Catatumbo Lightning" operation?
"Catatumbo Lightning" is a Venezuelan military operation involving the deployment of troops and military assets along the Caribbean and Colombian borders in response to perceived threats from the U.S.
What stance has Cuba taken in the Venezuela-U.S. conflict?
Cuba has expressed unconditional support for Venezuela and condemned U.S. actions as "imperialist threats," strengthening the ties between Havana and Caracas.