Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Venezuelan Ambassador in Cairo Wilmer Barrientos
Venezuelan Ambassador in Cairo condemns U.S. military buildup in Caribbean
In a detailed statement delivered in the Egyptian capital, Venezuela’s Ambassador Wilmer Barrientos expressed profound gratitude to international supporters while issuing a sharp denunciation of what Caracas describes as an unprecedented escalation of U.S. military pressure against the South American nation.
The ambassador highlighted a massive U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean region under “Operation Southern Spear,” which he claimed includes more than 15,000 troops, nuclear-capable assets, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its battle group — the largest joint force assembled in the area since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
Characterizing the maneuvers as “hostile actions” conducted just kilometers from Venezuelan shores and involving U.S. Marine reconnaissance units trained for offensive operations abroad, the diplomat warned that the buildup represents a grave threat to regional peace. He noted that the Caribbean and Latin America already host more than 76 U.S. military bases.
Caracas further rejected recent statements by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (November 13) and President Donald Trump (October 15 and November 29), accusing Washington of unilaterally redefining international law, issuing explicit threats to use force, and interfering in Venezuela’s sovereign airspace — actions the ambassador said violate Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and the 1944 Chicago Convention on civil aviation.
The statement linked the current tensions to a revived Monroe Doctrine, citing the U.S. National Security Strategy released on December 5, 2025, which reportedly prioritizes reasserting American hegemony in Latin America. Venezuelan authorities maintain that the military posturing is aimed at justifying a “regime-change” operation to seize the country’s vast oil reserves.
In response, President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized national defenses, with more than eight million citizens reportedly registering for the Bolivarian Militia. The ambassador stressed that civilian, police, and military forces stand united and fully prepared to counter any scenario while upholding Venezuela’s 200-year tradition of independence.
Reiterating Caracas’ commitment to peace and self-determination, the diplomat called on the international community to defend the UN Charter, reject the use or threat of force under fabricated pretexts, and preserve Latin America and the Caribbean as a “zone of peace.” He urged direct dialogue based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.
The ambassador closed by thanking solidarity movements worldwide and announced that Venezuela is organizing an International Assembly of Peoples for Sovereignty and Peace in Latin America, with active participation from Egyptian counterparts, as part of broader efforts to counter what Caracas describes as resurgent imperialism.
The Venezuelan government stated it will never submit to foreign dictates and reserves its legitimate right to self-defense while continuing to prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation.