Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a rare English-language message to the American public, urging “not war, just peace with the people of the United States,” following U.S. airstrikes on suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers earlier this month.

The October 2, 2025, strikes targeted six boats in the southern Caribbean believed to be part of narco-submarine operations linked to Maduro’s regime. According to U.S. officials, four individuals were killed in the operation, which was authorized by President Donald Trump as part of a wider campaign to dismantle transnational drug networks operating out of Venezuela.

Maduro’s remarks come amid growing tension between Washington and Caracas, with unconfirmed reports suggesting possible CIA activity in the region. The Venezuelan leader accused the U.S. of aggression while insisting his government seeks “dialogue, not confrontation.”

The Trump administration has defended its actions as necessary to combat narcotics trafficking and protect regional stability. Analysts note that while Maduro’s appeal for peace was unprecedented, it may reflect mounting pressure on his government as U.S. operations intensify near Venezuelan waters.