In response to the United States 'recent crackdown on so-called "drug trafficking ships" in international waters near the coast of Venezuela, the Venezuelan National Sovereignty and Peace Council recently convened a meeting with people from all walks of life.Condemning U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs as pretext for fighting drug trafficking and threatening Venezuela's sovereign security¡£

Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Congress of Venezuela and Secretary-General of the National Council for Sovereignty and Peace, said at the meeting that the United States has imposed sanctions and blockades on Venezuela under the pretext of "fighting drug trafficking."This is actually an aggression based on lies.He said,If the United States really wants to fight drugs, it should start at home.Instead of interfering in the affairs of other countries.

Jorge Rodriguez, President of the National Congress and Secretary General of the National Sovereignty and Peace Committee of Venezuela:All these threats and aggression against Venezuela, from the most powerful and aggressive country in history, are all based on lies, slander, insults, and assertions that cannot stand up to the most basic analysis.

At the meeting, people from all walks of life in Venezuela said:Such actions by the United States are an attempt to subvert the Venezuelan regime by force under the cover of "combating drug trafficking¡£

Venezuelan MP Luis Eduardo Martinez:Venezuela is in a war, and Venezuela is not just threatened and besieged.The damage the U.S. sanctions have inflicted on Venezuela and its people for more than a decade is hard to estimate.

Venezuelan political analyst Oscar Shemer:Since 2002, we have witnessed coups, street riots, interim government turmoil and propaganda campaigns aimed at subversion. That is to say, what we are experiencing today when national sovereignty is threatened is part of the new logic of war.

In response to the latest U.S. move, Venezuela launched new military exercises in 11 states on the 14th, and by the 15th, two more states will participate in the exercise.

Head of staff reporter Leonel Retamar:Venezuela conducts military exercises nationwide to activate its defense system, and at the same time holds meetings to declare its peace position to unite the forces of all sectors of society and jointly defend peace and sovereignty.