On August 31, Venezuelan Defense Minister Lopez said Venezuela was prepared to respond to “any action” or “any aggression” that the United States could initiate.
Lopez pointed out that the U.S. deployment of naval forces in the Caribbean is nothing more than a positioning, taking advantage, preventing other great powers from intervening and thus taking control of the Caribbean Sea. in this regard Lopez warned that Venezuela's armed forces are continuing to patrol the country's territorial seas and airspace, and if the U.S. dares to step on Venezuela, the nation will resolutely fight the end.
In addition, Lopez informed that the Venezuelan armed forces deployed 15,000 troops to carry out special operations in the western region of the country, and had destroyed more than 20 illegal armed groups and more than 30 logistics facilities of criminal organizations and illegal ship manufacturing sites in the border areas. (Headquarters reporter Ma Tianjing Gong Xiangcheng)