The U.S. seeks to turn Venezuela into its 51st State, VP Rodriguez said.

On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called on workers to remain alert to a sabotage plan orchestrated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) against the country’s strategic facilities.

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“Bolivarian Militia and combat units: the comprehensive defense plan requires everyone to defend their space. Defend the oil and gas installations from CIA attacks,” he said during a meeting to review grassroots assemblies ahead of the Working Class Constituent Congress.

In recent weeks, U.S. media outlets reported that President Donald Trump had authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela. In response to that possibility, the Bolivarian leader reminded workers that the CIA has sufficient funding and clear orders aimed at damaging the Venezuelan economy.

“In the face of the CIA’s plans, workers’ power! Everyone must remain vigilant over gas, oil, electricity and transportation infrastructure,” President Maduro said.

Also on Thursday, during the presentation of the National History Prize, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez warned that the United States seeks to turn her country into its 51st state.

“We will continue being an independent republic. We will never be a state of any other country! Our people will never obey the orders of a handful of traitors and a gang that promises to be the 51st state,” she said, referring to the U.S.-backed far right.

Rodriguez emphasized that Venezuelans are demonstrating their capacity for resilience and work after more than two months of an “incessant psychological campaign” by the United States. She pointed out that no one is willing to give up what they have achieved after decades of struggle.

“When the people have not been in political power, they have been out in the streets fighting. They have never surrendered. We have never seen them give up their hope and their future. Today, now that we are political power, the people are determined and resolved not to give it up,” she said.

Tensions between Venezuela and the U.S. have escalated following the air and naval mobilization ordered by the White House in the Caribbean since August. The Trump administration justifies the deployment as a military operation against international drug trafficking.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: VTV – EFE

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