Venezuela is bracing for heightened tensions as the United States deploys military forces near its coastline, raising fears of a potential invasion. In response, President Nicolas Maduro has announced nationwide disaster preparedness drills scheduled for Saturday, while considering invoking emergency powers to address the escalating situation. The drills, set to begin at 9:00 AM local time, aim to test the population’s readiness for both natural disasters and armed conflicts, with schools and hospitals participating in the exercise. Maduro’s call for vigilance comes amidst a series of earth tremors that rattled the country’s western region earlier this week, including a 6.3 magnitude quake that, fortunately, caused no major damage or casualties. The US military presence, which includes eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine, is part of President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug trafficking. However, Maduro accuses Washington of using this as a pretext for regime change, citing recent US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats that resulted in over a dozen deaths—actions condemned by UN experts as “extrajudicial executions.” In response to the perceived threat, thousands of Venezuelans have joined civilian militias, undergoing weapons training to bolster the nation’s defenses. Maduro has also hinted at invoking a state of “external commotion,” a constitutional provision that would grant the government emergency powers to bypass parliament, suspend constitutional guarantees, and deploy the military. While no decree has been issued yet, rights groups express concerns that such measures could further restrict freedoms of assembly, movement, and expression. The situation has drawn international attention, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro calling for a criminal investigation into Trump’s actions during the UN General Assembly this week.