Maduro Rejects ‘Slave’s Peace,’ Accuses U.S. of Probing Venezuela With Weeks-Long Military Deployment

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday vowed that his country would not accept “a slave’s peace,” telling thousands of supporters in Caracas that the United States has been “testing” Venezuela with a military deployment that has stretched for 22 weeks.

Maduro’s remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Caracas through a large naval buildup in the Caribbean, airstrikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels, and warnings to avoid Venezuelan airspace. Maduro, who has long accused Washington of trying to overthrow him, framed the U.S. actions as an assault on Venezuela’s sovereignty.

“We want peace — but peace with sovereignty, equality, freedom,” he said at the rally. “We do not want a slave’s peace, nor the peace of colonies!”

His comments coincided with Trump’s expected meeting with senior national security officials to review the situation in Venezuela.