Maduro Declares "External Shock" State Amid Rising Tensions: What It Means for Venezuela

In a move that has sparked considerable debate, Nicolás Maduro has initiated a controversial "state of external shock" decree in Venezuela, amidst escalating geopolitical tensions with the United States and a spotlight on the Caribbean. This decree, enshrined in Venezuela's Constitution, grants the Executive branch sweeping powers in the face of external threats that jeopardize national security.

Understanding the "State of External Shock"

The "state of external shock" is a legal construct outlined in Article 338 of the Venezuelan Constitution. It allows the President to declare a state of emergency during internal or external conflicts that seriously endanger the security of the nation, its citizens, or its institutions. The decree must be submitted within eight days to the National Assembly, predominantly controlled by Chavista allies, and the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice to assess its constitutionality. While its application is theoretically bound by strict time limits and fundamental rights, human rights organizations have often questioned these conditions.

Expanded Powers for Maduro

Delcy Rodríguez elaborated that the decree bestows Maduro with enhanced powers in critical areas, such as defense, security, and state administration. Measures include:

• Mobilization of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces across the country.
• Immediate military takeover of strategic infrastructures, including public services, the oil industry, and essential companies to ensure their full operation.
• Activation of all citizen security plans.
• Closure of land, air, and sea borders.
• Restriction of constitutional guarantees in unspecified sensitive areas.

Rodríguez asserted that the aim is to safeguard Venezuela's sovereignty, independence, and strategic interests. Furthermore, she warned that any internal or external entity promoting or facilitating military aggression against Venezuela would face prosecution under national laws, with full constitutional guarantees.

Military Maneuvers and Heightened Tensions

The announcement was made during Maduro's televised program, "Con Maduro+", where he emphasized the necessity of consulting the constitutional decree for a state of emergency to declare an external shock state. The goal, he stated, is to protect the Venezuelan people and ensure peace and stability.

The decree, confirmed as signed and ready for activation by Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodríguez, is seen as a direct response to perceived threats from the United States, which the Chavista government accuses of pursuing a destabilization plan aimed at regime change. Rodríguez highlighted the presence of U.S. vessels near Venezuelan territory as a direct threat.

Tool for Defense or Political Control?

This decree comes amid high tensions with the U.S., which maintains a naval presence in the southern Caribbean ostensibly to combat drug trafficking. However, from Caracas, this presence is perceived as a provocation that could lead to military intervention. Maduro emphasized the narrative of national resistance against alleged external conspiracies, claiming that Venezuela has overcome economic, psychological, and political aggression.

The official rhetoric has also hardened, resulting in internal military exercises and increased mobilization of the so-called "Bolivarian militias." Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello issued a stern warning, suggesting that anyone opposing Venezuela's defense would be under suspicion, a veiled threat to internal political dissent.

Calls for Transparency and Clarity

Civil society organizations, such as the NGO Access to Justice, have demanded the immediate publication of the full decree in the Official Gazette. They stress that since the state of external shock entails restricting certain rights, the details should be promptly disclosed. The Venezuelan government's lack of clarity has raised concerns among independent sectors, fearing that the decree could justify further repression or political persecution.

Nationalism and Uncertainty

Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, defended the measure before the diplomatic corps accredited in Caracas, accusing certain citizens abroad of inciting war. Meanwhile, on the streets of Venezuela, there's a palpable mix of uncertainty and resignation. While the official narrative champions national defense against external threats, many citizens view the real battle as one against the daily economic crisis, characterized by rampant inflation, currency devaluation, and the collapse of basic services.

Maduro has repeatedly insisted on the readiness of the Venezuelan people, citing international solidarity during the recent UN General Assembly as bolstering the decree's legitimacy. Delcy Rodríguez, appealing directly to former U.S. President Donald Trump, argued that a true statesman should avoid war, warning of the dire consequences for belligerent nations.

This decree, part of a dual strategy by the Chavista regime, aims to project strength and sovereignty internationally while tightening internal control amid an extremely fragile social, economic, and political landscape. While the government claims it's a legitimate defense mechanism, analysts and civil organizations view it as a further step towards authoritarian consolidation under the guise of a military threat.