• Nicolas Maduro calls for dialogue with the US amid military threats from President Trump.
• Trump warns Venezuelan jets could be shot down if they threaten US naval forces.
• Maduro threatens "armed struggle" if Venezuela is attacked.
• The Pentagon links Venezuelan military to drug trafficking issues.
• Deployment of US F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico raises tensions further.

In a recent escalation of rhetoric, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has urged for dialogue with the United States, stating that military conflicts are unjustifiable despite the rising tensions. His comments follow threats from President Donald Trump to shoot down Venezuelan military jets deemed threatening to US forces, underscoring a fraught diplomatic landscape. "None of the differences we have and have had can lead to a military conflict," Maduro declared, asserting his country’s readiness for discussions with respect, according to Le Monde and TRT Global.

Trump's threats were prompted by incidents involving Venezuelan military jets flying near US naval vessels, which the Pentagon described as "highly provocative." In response, Trump stated, "If they do put us in a dangerous position, they’ll be shot down," emphasizing the US military's determination to engage in counter-narcotics operations. Meanwhile, Maduro has denied US claims that he leads a drug-trafficking organization, insisting that Venezuela combats drug trade effectively, according to statements he made during a television broadcast covered by South China Morning Post and Newsweek.

The situation further intensified as Trump authorized a military strike against an alleged drug boat linked to the Venezuelan cartel Tren de Aragua, resulting in casualties and marking a significant escalation in US-Venezuela hostilities. Following the strike, Maduro emphasized that Venezuela is prepared for an "armed struggle" should it face external aggression, mobilizing his military and emphasizing the enlistment of citizens for national defense. He condemned Trump's plans for what he termed "violent regime change," indicating that such threats would only unify the Venezuelan people against perceived external threats, according to Anadolu Agency and Le Monde.

Moreover, the Pentagon's send-off of F-35 jets to Puerto Rico forms part of this strategic military engagement against drug cartels but has drawn sharp criticisms from Venezuelan officials. As Maduro dismisses claims about drug trafficking, asserting that Venezuela is "a country free from coca leaf production", tensions are expected to escalate further unless de-escalation measures are pursued. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump's sentiment regarding aggressive measures against narcoterrorism, stating that the US will take a firm stance, according to South China Morning Post and Newsweek.