The Minister of People’s Power for Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, declared that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) will actively reject the imposition of any government in the country that is subordinate to the interests of the United States (US).
The senior official questioned the suitability of those «who have called for an invasion, who have betrayed their country, who have called for sanctions.» He was categorical in stating: «The Bolivarian National Armed Forces […] will not allow a government here that kneels, that is a slave, that genuflects to the interests of the United States of America.»
He described the deployment of the US air and naval force on the Venezuelan coast as «the worst threat in more than 100 years.» Faced with this situation, he asserted that the FANB remains steadfast and determined to defend «every inch of our sovereignty,» referring to the military exercises ordered by President Nicolás Maduro.
He noted that the attacks of recent weeks have strengthened the cohesion between the People’s Power and the FANB. This external challenge, he affirmed, has generated greater combative spirit and patriotism, uniting the entire national government around the country’s defense.
The military official clarified that «we do not want war here in Venezuela or in the world; we want peace.» In this regard, he called for the establishment of a global nonaggression pact that would allow for the advancement of multipolarity.
Finally, Minister Padrino López emphasized President Maduro’s firm leadership and the unity of state institutions. He concluded by stating that the Venezuelan authorities maintain constant vigilance over geopolitical events in the Caribbean and Latin America.