Venezuela Raises Alert Level in Coastal Regions Amid Rising Tensions with the U.S.

Venezuela has heightened its alert level in coastal regions amidst rising tensions with the United States. According to local media reports, President Nicolás Maduro has issued a decree placing the states of Zulia, Falcón, and Aragua—located east of Caracas—on high alert.

In response to potential external threats, authorities have activated Independence Plan 200, aimed at ensuring the defense of these territories. Military units have been assigned to deploy, assess, and prepare for 27 critical actions to bolster the country’s defense capabilities.

The army command has urged the public to be mindful of troop movements to strategic coastal locations and to refrain from filming these maneuvers.

“We are implementing Independence Plan 200 in Zulia, Falcón, and Aragua to execute, evaluate, and prepare for 27 essential tasks that will guarantee the full defense capability of Venezuelan territory,” Maduro stated on Telegram.

This decision follows recent U.S. strikes on vessels off the Venezuelan coast, which Washington has attributed to drug cartels. Caracas, however, denies these allegations and is increasing its military presence in coastal areas.