Overview

• Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said Nicolás Maduro signed the decree, which would activate immediately if there is any external aggression, citing possible U.S. action.
• An anonymous government source told AFP the document had not yet been signed, and the full text has not been released for public review.
• Under Article 338, the state of exception lasts 90 days and can be extended once, allowing temporary restrictions on some guarantees while safeguarding non‑derogable rights.
• The stated powers include mobilizing the armed forces nationwide, taking military control of public services and the oil industry, activating security plans, and closing borders.
• The move follows expanded U.S. naval and air deployments and lethal interdictions in the southern Caribbean that Washington describes as counternarcotics and Caracas denounces as a threat.