Storyline: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in a live broadcast on Thursday that his government is prepared to engage in an "armed struggle" to defend peace and national sovereignty. Maduro made the remarks as tensions between Venezuela and the United States are escalating, which are triggered by the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea. He also said that if the Venezuelan government is forced into an armed conflict, it will be a fight for peace, sovereignty, the homeland, and in defense of this land. The president said that Venezuela would continue to advance along the current path. On the same day, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused the United States of imposing 1,042 "criminal" and "illegal" sanctions against Venezuela, claiming they violate the country's human rights. Gil also condemned the recent U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, saying it has significantly escalated the tensions. The United States has recently stationed several warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. The Venezuelan government views the U.S. move as a military threat intended to force a change in government. This military posture was followed by a November 29 social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he declared that airspace over and around Venezuela should be considered fully closed. In response, Venezuela subsequently issued a strong condemnation, calling the statement a threat to its airspace sovereignty. Despite the intensified rhetoric, a channel of high-level contact remains open. On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington was communicating with regional allies to coordinate its position and would "evaluate new measures" regarding Venezuela in the coming days. He said that the current issue with Maduro lies in the unfulfilled commitments from the bilateral negotiations. President Maduro also confirmed in an earlier televised speech on Wednesday that he had held a telephone conversation with Trump. "If this call means steps are being taken toward a respectful dialogue between our countries, then dialogue is welcome, diplomacy is welcome," Maduro said in the speech. Shotlist: FILE: Caracas, Venezuela - Date Unknown: 1. Various of national flag of Venezuela; traffic on road Caracas, Venezuela - Recent: 2. Various of pedestrians, traffic FILE: Venezuela - Date Unknown: 3. Various of city view, traffic FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024: 4. Various of White House FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown: 5. Various of Capitol building; U.S. national flag FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Oct 2024: 6. Traffic on street [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]