Maduro Urges Brazilians to Rally for Venezuela as U.S. Operations Raise Tensions

Overview

• Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro called on Brazilians to take to the streets in support of Venezuela's peace and sovereignty during a televised appearance in which he received a hat from Brazil's MST.
• G1 reports a sudden increase in U.S. military presence near Venezuela since September, framing the appeal within a period of mounting pressure.
• Poder360 reports that the United States has attacked 23 vessels since September 2, with 87 reported deaths, which the White House says are actions targeting narcotrafficking.
• According to G1, citing anonymous sources, Maduro has tightened his personal security by changing where he sleeps and the phone he uses and by expanding Cuban roles in his security and counterintelligence.
• G1 also reports that Maduro has cut back on scheduled events and live broadcasts in favor of spontaneous appearances and pre-recorded messages, as Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva offers to mediate between Caracas and Washington.