Speaking at a public rally hours ago, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro acknowledged the upcoming joint US military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, stating that the country would not allow itself to be threatened.

He earlier spoke at the swearing-in ceremony for the Integral Bolivarian Grassroots Committees, claiming that the drills, announced by Minister of Foreign Affairs Sean Sobers yesterday were intended to be threatening towards Venezuela.

He also called for the people of Venezuela to mobilize, and questioned whether the people of Trinidad and Tobago would allow its waters being used to “threaten the peace of the Caribbean.”