Since rising to power in Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro has relied on patriotic and confrontational rhetoric, frequently criticizing the United States and other Western powers. For years he has spoken out against what he describes as interference and control by the U.S. and its allies over the global order, and he has repeatedly said Venezuela is prepared to withstand any outside intervention, citing the country's history and tradition of resistance.
Since the United States began a military campaign near Venezuelan waters as part of a counter-terrorism effort, Maduro has repeatedly defied U.S. threats and insisted that Venezuela will defend its sovereignty at any cost.
