"The Venezuelan Minister of the Interior and Justice, Diosdado Cabello, has called on citizens of other countries to help 'defend' the nation against military threats from the United States. Speaking at a press conference in Caracas on Monday, he said that everyone would be welcomed and treated 'as brothers'. "The call made by the president - if we have not publicly called for the peoples of the world to organise in order to defend our country, I take this opportunity to do so from this platform. From anywhere in the world, here is Venezuela, which is being attacked, and any help you can give us is most welcome, most welcome. Here you will be received as brothers in life," stated Cabello. He went on to say that Venezuela is currently under attack from the Washington administration and that since the time of former president Hugo Chavez, the country has faced threats. "We are in a phase of aggression. I do not know if it is phase one, two, or three of a siege. Because a war now, at present, is different from the wars of some years or decades ago. We have been subjected to a war, not just now; ever since Commander Chavez arrived, we have been threatened," the minister affirmed. He also stated that the country has received assistance from military forces from several nations, including some that are not closely aligned with the government in Caracas. "If there is an aggression against Venezuela, they will say 'present' to support Venezuela. So, the indigenous peoples and the military and police forces of other countries will come to Venezuela to support this homeland," Cabello said. Currently, the United States has deployed military forces in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. This reportedly includes a number of warships, thousands of sailors, a nuclear-powered submarine, and various aircraft. The US government justifies its actions under anti-narcotics operations, which Venezuela has rejected, while Caracas continues to conduct regular military exercises to prepare the country for a possible escalation of tensions."