Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro said the United States is “inventing an eternal war” as it increases its military presence in the Caribbean.
“They promised they would never go to war again and they are inventing a war,” he said this Friday (24).
He also said that he was mobilizing “the people of South America” and that an international volunteer force would be formed to defend the country.
“I saw videos on social media of many people… saying they are also preparing and calling for the formation of what will be formed soon: the internationalist Simón Bolívar brigades, made up of men and women from around the world to fight alongside Venezuela for independence, sovereignty and peace,” he said, although he provided few details.
Last week, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the US strike group, currently stationed in Europe, to be deployed to the Caribbean region.
It is unclear where exactly the ships will be positioned.
This group includes the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which has a nuclear reactor and is classified by the US Navy as the largest in the world.
A CNN reached out to the Venezuelan government and the U.S. State Department for comment.
Maduro has not yet commented on the sending.
