Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have reached a new high, with the South American country's civil society vehemently condemning recent U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean, which they label as a pretext for intervention and a clear violation of international law. The latest escalation follows the U.S. deployment of multiple warships and military aircraft to the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly under the banner of "combating drug trafficking." This move, coupled with aggressive rhetoric and threats of a ground operation on Venezuelan soil, has been met with widespread condemnation from Venezuelan officials, scholars, and media figures. Venezuelan experts said that the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign is a thinly veiled attempt to interfere in the country's internal affairs. The U.S. actions, which have included continuous pressure since September, ranging from verbal threats to military coercion, have prompted Venezuela to showcase its national resolve. The Venezuelan government has recently conducted multiple joint military, police, and civilian exercises nationwide. From the capital city of Caracas to the border regions, the drills were designed to demonstrate the country's determination to counter external threats and defend its sovereignty. Military personnel and ordinary citizens alike expressed a unified stance against the U.S. pressure, emphasizing the need to firmly reject foreign intervention and safeguard the nation's independence and sovereignty. Meanwhile, ordinary Venezuelans also expressed deep skepticism of U.S intentions. Shotlist: Caracas, Venezuela - Recent: FILE: Venezuela - Date Unknown 1. Aerial shots of cityscape; Caracas, Venezuela - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Sergio Rodriguez Gelfenstein, Venezuelan international affairs expert: "A look at the history of the United States makes us realize that every time they want to intervene, they create a subterfuge, or they invent something. We don't have time now, but we could talk for a long, long time about how in every case, there is a so-called reason for war."; 3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Manuel Isidro Molina, veteran Venezuelan journalist: "In any case, Venezuela is militarily prepared. The vast majority of Venezuelans are strongly opposed to the aggressive policies of the United States. We call for peace, and we demand the U.S. military withdraw its deployment in the Caribbean."; FILE: Venezuela - Date Unknown 4. Various of military training, weapons, helicopter; Caracas, Venezuela - Recent 5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Fredy Mendez, commander, Venezuelan anti-aircraft missile platoon: "Military exercises are of vital important for our country. As Venezuelans, we must defend our homeland."; 6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marcial Silva, Caracas resident (partially overlaid with shot 7/ending with shot 8): "The U.S. pressure on Venezuela is not new, but the current threat is escalating on a military level. Now they are using the pretext that Venezuela is one of the main drug trafficking countries to send military forces. But we Venezuelans all understand in our hearts that they are not coming to stop drug smuggling."; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Venezuela - Date Unknown 7. Various of cityscape, traffic; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Caracas, Venezuela - Sept 13, 2025 8. Various of militias gathering, training. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]