Escalation in Rhetoric: Maduro Rejects "Peace of Slaves" in Response to Trump's Threats and US Military Deployment in the Caribbean

Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, firmly responded to the increasing pressure and threats from the US administration, emphasizing his complete rejection of the "peace of slaves" imposed by external powers. His remarks were delivered during a massive rally attended by thousands of his supporters in the capital, Caracas.

Maduro highlighted that the extensive US military deployment in the Caribbean region has placed the country under continuous strain for the past 22 weeks. This fiery speech coincided with the intention of US President, Donald Trump, to hold a meeting with the National Security Council to discuss the current situation in Venezuela.

In his address, Maduro underscored his nation's stance: "We want peace, but we want peace with sovereignty, equality, and freedom. We do not want the peace of slaves, nor the peace of colonialism." This retort comes as Washington justifies its military presence in the region since last August as an effort to combat drug cartels, an deployment that included sending the world's largest aircraft carrier to the Caribbean Sea.

Describing the recent period, Maduro stated: "We have lived through 22 weeks of aggression that can be described as psychological terrorism, 22 weeks during which they have put us to the test. The people of Venezuela have demonstrated their love for the homeland."

In a related development, the US President had acknowledged on Sunday that he had spoken by phone with his Venezuelan counterpart, though he did not disclose any details regarding the substance of the discussions held between the two leaders. Tensions between the two countries persist as both parties adhere firmly to their respective political and strategic positions.