Venezuela's Maduro Condemns "CIA Orchestrated Coups" Amid Rising US Military Threats in Caribbean

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro strongly condemned what he described as "coups d'etat orchestrated by the CIA" on Wednesday, following US President Trump's statements about considering military strikes against Venezuelan cartels on land.

"No to war in the Caribbean...No to regime change...No to coups d'etat orchestrated by the CIA," declared the leftist leader while addressing a committee formed after Washington deployed naval vessels in the Caribbean for what American officials termed an anti-narcotics operation.

President Trump indicated on Wednesday that he was contemplating land-based attacks following lethal maritime strikes that sank Venezuelan vessels allegedly transporting illegal drugs.

The US Caribbean military operations have reportedly resulted in at least 27 casualties thus far.

Following another vessel being struck, Maduro ordered military exercises to take place in Venezuela's largest shantytowns and announced the mobilization of military forces, police units, and civilian militia to protect Venezuela's "mountains, coasts, schools, hospitals, factories and markets."

Trump has labeled them "narcoterrorists" without presenting evidence to support this claim.

The American president accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel, allegations that Maduro firmly denies. In August, Washington increased the reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million, doubling the previous amount.

The Venezuelan president faces widespread accusations of electoral fraud during last year's elections.