Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States of fabricating a “false narrative” to justify aggression and push for regime change in Venezuela. Speaking on Friday, Maduro said, “Venezuela is innocent. Everything being done is to justify a war.” His remarks come amid heightened tensions over U.S. warships deployed near Venezuelan waters. Washington says the operation targets Latin American drug cartels, while Caracas views it as a provocation. Since September, U.S. forces have struck several vessels suspected of drug smuggling in the Caribbean, reportedly originating from Venezuela—but none within Venezuelan territorial waters.