Colombia, as the current chair of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (Celac), has convened an urgent virtual meeting of regional foreign ministers to discuss recent U.S. military deployments near Venezuela.
The United States has positioned naval forces, including destroyers and a nuclear-powered submarine, off Venezuela’s coast, citing an anti-drug trafficking mission. Venezuela has denounced the move as a “hostile action,” claiming it threatens national sovereignty. President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the mobilization of the Bolivarian Militia in response, describing the deployment as a defensive measure against external aggression.
Colombia emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean are formally recognized as a “Zone of Peace” under the 2014 Celac declaration. The upcoming ministerial talks aim to promote dialogue, ease tensions, and seek coordinated solutions to safeguard regional stability.
Venezuela has also raised the issue at the United Nations, accusing Washington of violating international law and attempting to legitimize potential military intervention through a “propaganda campaign.”