Maduro warns US that Venezuela will retaliate if attacked

(Patria) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the US of planning a violent regime change, stating that his country will enter a phase of armed struggle if attacked.

Addressing soldiers, Maduro said that although Venezuela is "still in a phase of unarmed struggle," any attack would provoke a response from "the entire people against aggression, whether local, regional or national."

Maduro spoke during the operational and organizational activation of the entire Bolivarian National Militia, noting that Venezuela is in a "phase of recruitment and preparation."

He added that his country will continue to deploy defensive, preparatory and retraining capacities of the entire population.

He told US President Donald Trump to abandon his plan for a violent regime change in Venezuela and across Latin America and the Caribbean, and to respect sovereignty, the right to peace and independence.

Maduro's response came after Trump's warning on Friday that Venezuelan military aircraft would be "shot down" if they approached US warships.

This occurred after two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets flew over a US ship sent to the region to fight criminal organizations and "narcoterrorism."