Maduro’s minister says the US wants war in Latin America

According to Padrino López, the United States government would be acting as an “instrument for war” and seeking to expand conflicts in the region.

“The people of the United States must understand that their government is an instrument for war. (…) The intention is to wage war in Latin America and the Caribbean”, declared the minister during an event that marked the 47th anniversary of Venezuela’s Comprehensive Aerospace Defense Command, according to VTV.

According to the military leader, Washington would be willing to cause new casualties among young Americans by insisting on military actions abroad. Padrino López stated that the United States wants to “once again return in sacks, in black bags and in ballot boxes, contributing citizens, young people of American society”, according to the official broadcast of the speech.

Despite the accusations, the minister declared that the Venezuelan regime continues to defend a peaceful solution. According to him, Venezuela “calls for peace”, but remains “in rebellion” in the face of what he classified as a “nefarious action” of “North American imperialism”, according to the VTV. Padrino López also called on United States society to press for diplomatic solutions, defending dialogue and politics as ways to resolve international conflicts.