Venezuelan President Maduro threatens "republic in arms" if U.S. attacks, amid naval buildup.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro threatened to declare a "republic in arms" if the U.S. attacks, responding to an increase in U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean aimed at countering drug cartels. Maduro accused the U.S. of seeking regime change, while the U.S. claims the deployment is to combat drug trafficking. Venezuela has deployed troops along its coast and border with Colombia in preparation.