Venezuelan President Expands Powers, Bracing for Potential U.S. Aggression

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro signed a decree granting himself expanded security powers in case U.S. military forces enter the country, according to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. The move marks the latest escalation between Washington and Caracas as tensions rise over American naval presence in the Caribbean.

The decree would allow Maduro to mobilize armed forces across Venezuela and give the military control over public services and the oil industry. This represents a significant concentration of power that could reshape how Venezuela operates during what Maduro sees as a potential military threat.

Maduro has publicly accused the Trump administration of planning to remove him from power. These aren't empty claims in his view - the U.S. has deployed warships to the Caribbean region, though Washington says the naval presence aims to combat drug trafficking through the area.

Here's where it gets interesting from a geopolitical standpoint. Venezuela sits on the world's largest proven oil reserves, making any military confrontation potentially significant for global energy markets. The country's oil industry has already been crippled by years of economic mismanagement and U.S. sanctions.

For investors and regional stability, this decree signals Maduro's willingness to implement martial law-style measures. Military control over oil operations could further disrupt Venezuela's already limited crude production, which has fallen from over 3 million barrels per day in the 1990s to under 1 million today.

The timing matters too. U.S.-Venezuela relations have hit new lows since Washington recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate president in 2019. But Maduro has maintained power with support from Russia, China, and Cuba, creating a complex international standoff.

The Caribbean has become a key transit route for South American cocaine heading to U.S. markets. American officials say their naval operations target these drug shipments, but Venezuela views the military presence as preparation for invasion.