Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia, Leiff Escalona, has issued a decisive statement regarding the current political situation in the region, particularly along Venezuela’s coasts, stating, “The United States has deployed warships under false pretexts.”
In her statement, the ambassador unequivocally reaffirms Venezuela’s commitment to peace, truth, and cooperation among Caribbean and Latin American nations, firmly rejecting any external narrative or manipulation that seeks to justify hostility or threaten the stability of our region, which is proclaimed by CELAC as a Zone of Peace.
Ambassador Escalona asserts that this message is vital for strengthening mutual understanding and reinforcing the solidarity that has always characterized the ties between our peoples.
On behalf of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Saint Lucia, the ambassador says that in recent days, the United States government has unjustifiably deployed warships in Caribbean waters under the pretense of combating drug trafficking.
“This military maneuver is a blatant escalation of hostility against Venezuela and forms part of a disinformation campaign that falsely links our country to the illicit drug trade to justify aggression against us,” Ambassador Escalona contended.
She went on to express regret over some voices in the region, including recent statements by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who have aligned with this Washington-imposed narrative, repeating baseless accusations that do nothing to promote stability or cooperation among our nations.
“Venezuela firmly asserts that the Caribbean must remain a Zone of Peace, as proclaimed by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), ” the ambassador said.
Venezuela: A Recognized Example in the Fight Against Drugs
Reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) confirm that Venezuela is free of illicit coca, marijuana, and poppy cultivation, as well as drug production laboratories.
The ambassador emphasized that since 2005, when Venezuela expelled the DEA and adopted a sovereign anti-drug policy, it has seized over 1,000 tons of narcotics and neutralized nearly 400 aircraft linked to drug trafficking. In 2025 alone, Venezuelan authorities have confiscated over 51,000 kilograms of drugs.
In stark contrast, international reports indicate that 67% of the world’s coca crops are concentrated in Colombia, whose cocaine production continues to rise.
Despite this, over 87% of that cocaine travels through the Pacific Ocean bound for the United States, not the Caribbean.
Ambassador Escalona posed a critical question: why is Washington deploying its warships in the Caribbean instead of the Pacific, where the drugs actually flow? The answer is simple: the real target is Venezuela, not drug trafficking.
National Unity in the Face of Threats
The ambassador stated that President Nicolás Maduro has highlighted the patriotic spirit of the Venezuelan people during recent enlistment days for the Bolivarian National Militia, where thousands have voluntarily joined the ranks of territorial defense.
“We are witnessing a powerful expression of nationalism, patriotism, and love for Venezuela,” said the Head of State, reaffirming that the nation’s sovereignty is guaranteed by the unity of the people, the militia, and the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.
Ambassador Escalona declared, “The defense of our homeland is an act of love, reflecting a people who refuse to become pawns of foreign agendas, remaining steadfast in their commitment to peace and self-determination.”
Commitment to Peace and International Law
The Venezuelan ambassador reiterates that “our country will continue to be a bastion of peace and stability in the Caribbean and Latin America, in accordance with the principles of International Law and the CELAC Proclamation that declares our region as a Zone of Peace.”
Moreover, she firmly rejects all attempts at manipulation aimed at paving the way for new forms of interference and aggression.
At the same time, she extends a resolute call to the governments and peoples of the Caribbean not to be swayed by external narratives that undermine our historical coexistence, rooted in respect, sovereignty, and solidarity.
In conclusion, the ambassador declared, “The truth is clear and undeniable: Venezuela is not, and will never be, a drug-trafficking nation. Instead, we stand as a leading example in the fight against drugs and in the defense of our national dignity.”