Venezuela's Maduro ready to declare state of emergency over feared US 'aggression': vice-presidentby AFP Staff WritersCaracas (AFP) Sept 29, 2025Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of US "aggression" following a spate of deadly US strikes on suspected Venezuelan drug boats, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said on Monday. But a government source told AFP that Maduro had, in fact, not yet signed the document. Maduro, whom Trump accuses of leading a narco cartel, suspects Washington of pursuing regime change. On Tuesday, he appeared on state television with a red folder on which was written: "Decree declaring a state of external commotion across the national territory." Rights groups have told AFP they fear the government would use an emergency decree to restrict freedom of assembly, movement and expression.