Venezuela Fires Back at Trump’s Remarks on Military Option, Says Its Ready to Repel any Aggression

Venezuelans stay ready to repel a military assault whenever it comes, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has said. She was firing back at US President Donald Trump’s remark that a military invasion is “an option” in Venezuela, Rt reported.

Speaking to the Russian media on Sunday, Rodriguez said Venezuela considers Trump’s remark “unacceptable”. If an attack is mounted on the country’s sovereignty, its army and people are fully prepared to retaliate, she stressed, calling the matter of the nation’s independence non-negotiable.

“The sovereignty is not discussed, it is defended,” she stressed., according to RT.

Rodriquez added that the people of Venezuela “will be on standby” to defend the country’s borders and won’t allow any foreign interference, “regardless of where it comes from.”

The Venezuelan official pledged that her government is capable of defusing the political crisis by peaceful means, in strict compliance with the constitution.

“Of course, we call for solving all problems peacefully, by establishing dialogue and resolving issues at the electoral level,” she said.

Rodriguez’s remarks were echoed by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, who tweeted on Sunday that Trump has “confirmed he is at the forefront of the coup” by floating the military option.

Nicolas Maduro Visits Navy, Gives Message of Unity And Strength

The President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that the Bolivarian Republic is the cradle of Latin American freedom and dignity,” while addressing troops at the Naval Apostadero de Turiamo, in the state of Aragua.

“Today the future of Venezuela is decided: if it becomes one more star of the United States flag or if it will continue to fly its eight tricolor stars,” said the president, according to Telesur.

“You saw the failed coup plotters yesterday … with the gringo flag behind them. They no longer hide, they no longer hide their identity. They no longer hide what they have inside, they want to deliver our country, in pieces, to the gringo empire and the local oligarchies.”

The president called for unity of the people and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).

“Your soldiers of the Homeland are the maximum guarantee of union, integrity, and respect for Venezuelan sovereignty. We must be proud of the deployment capacity for the defense of our Bolivarian Navy and our Bolivarian National Armed Forces,” the president said.  

“They say that there will be a civil war and military intervention, but neither a civil war nor intervention in Venezuela will bring peace — but peace is what we’ll achieve.”

H.M