Venezuela Warns Neighbors of Retaliation Over Support for U.S. Military Operations: 'We'll Act in Legitimate Defense'

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López warned on Sunday that his country would respond in "legitimate defense" to any attack launched from the territories of Guyana or Trinidad and Tobago, accusing both nations of collaborating with the United States.

"If they (United States) attack us from your territory, you will also receive a response, and that is in legitimate defense," Padrino said in remarks shared on his Telegram account. He also claimed both governments were acting on instructions from Washington, as France 24 points out.

His comments echo those made by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez on Thursday who also accused the two countries of being "vassals of the U.S. Department of War" and warned them not to participate in what she described as "plans of aggression" against Venezuela. "Do not dare. Do not even think about it," she said.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar rejected those accusations on Friday, calling them "alarmism" and insisting there were no plans to invade Venezuela or send troops.

The Trump administration has deployed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine off the Venezuelan coast, citing efforts to combat drug trafficking. U.S. officials accuse President Nicolás Maduro of leading the Cartel of the Suns, which Washington has designated a terrorist organization linked to narcotics trafficking.

Guyana recently reiterated its support for the U.S. presence. During his second-term inauguration last week, President Irfaan Ali welcomed a U.S. military flyover and said the cooperation was intended to "eliminate any threat to our security" while maintaining the region as a "zone of peace." Venezuela continues to dispute Guyana's sovereignty over the Essequibo region, a territory that makes up two-thirds of its landmass.

Trinidad and Tobago, in the meantime, has also expressed support for the U.S. deployment. Persad-Bissessar said in late August that her government would allow U.S. forces to use its territory if Venezuela attacked Guyana. Following a U.S. strike on a vessel carrying drugs off Venezuela's coast earlier this month, she said traffickers should be "violently eliminated," adding that the mission would help save lives in the region.

Padrino Lopez urged neighboring governments not to misjudge Venezuela's willingness to respond. "You know well our firm commitment to defend national independence," he said.