Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused US media outlets of fabricating “virtual realities” about Venezuela to justify attempts at imposing a colonial-style government and seizing the country’s natural resources. Speaking at the Miraflores Palace during a cabinet meeting reviewing governance in 2025 and setting priorities for 2026–2031, Maduro urged US media to look beyond lobbying influences and better understand Venezuela’s reality. He also rejected what he described as US efforts to impose external models of governance, cited rising tensions following US military deployments in the Caribbean, and reaffirmed Venezuela’s willingness to engage in international dialogue based on respect for sovereignty.