Maduro declares state of emergency and mobilisation in Venezuela

«We will confront the United States»: Maduro declares state of emergency and mobilisation

President Venezuela Nicolas Maduro announced State of emergency and general mobilisation, The country is ready to confront the United States.

In a public statement, Maduro stressed that the decision was made due to «unprecedented threats to Venezuela's sovereignty and security» and against the backdrop of possible US strikes on the country's military and infrastructure facilities.

«We will confront the United States. Venezuela is going into a state of emergency and mobilisation,» Maduro said.

What preceded the decision

The declaration of the state of emergency followed international media reports of US President Donald Trump's order to strike targets inside Venezuela, including military facilities. At the same time, explosions, flights of US helicopters and the putting of Venezuelan air defence forces on alert were recorded in Caracas and coastal regions.

What does a state of emergency mean?

The introduction of a state of emergency in Venezuela may include:

• expanding the powers of law enforcement agencies;

• restrictions on civil liberties;

• control over the information space;

• forced or partial mobilisation of reservists.

No official details on the duration of the state of emergency and the scale of mobilisation have been released.

The world's reaction

As of this moment No official reaction from Washington. There have also been no statements from the UN or regional organisations. The situation around Venezuela is developing rapidly.