"Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stated on Sunday that in 2025 Venezuela succeeded in consolidating itself as a nation with economic and popular power. He made these remarks during his end-of-year message addressed to the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in Caracas. In his speech, the president praised the country’s historical identity and its stance against external pressures, emphasising self-determination as the cornerstone of his national policy. "Our homeland was born as a land of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism. We did not ask anyone for permission to be what we were, nor will we ever ask anyone for permission to do what we must do," said Maduro. This was in reference to the US military deployments in the Southern Caribbean, under the pretext of an operation against drug trafficking and organised crime. Additionally, the government of President Donald Trump has also seized two vessels carrying crude oil, following the announcement of a blockade on oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela. Regarding this, Maduro rejected what he described as threats against Venezuela and defended the country's ability to respond to situations of external pressure. "It is a crime to attempt to use threats as Goliath did against a noble and peaceful, yet warrior, people like the people of Venezuela; it is a crime," Maduro affirmed. Furthermore, he highlighted the FANB's trajectory, emphasising their humanist and liberating character in contrast, he said, to models of external military intervention. "Our military has a glorious history. As military personnel, emancipators, humanists, and invincible warriors. They are not imperialist soldiers; they are not soldiers who go out to kill people or to steal wealth," Maduro commented. He also stated that the Bolivarian militia is ready to guarantee the defence of sovereignty against any foreign interference. "The military power of Venezuela has been put to the test, and there it stands, robust, forward-moving, prepared, and ready 24 hours a day to guarantee the permanent triumph of territorial integrity," the president said. Maduro concluded his message with best wishes to the FANB and a call for unity and peace."