Tension between the United States and Venezuela is soaring in the aftermath of the continued attacks on civilian boats allegedly carrying illegal drugs. As war crimes committed by the U.S. mount, Venezuela’s ruler, Nicolas Maduro, said that “if the gringos attack, we will respond.”

U.S. Strikes A 4th Venezuelan Boat, Committing More War Crimes

In addition to responding to a potential attack, Maduro assured Venezuelans that the country’s economic activity will not slow down despite the threats from the U.S. Maduro appears to be attempting to calm the public in the face of a possible escalation.

According to a report by El País, a U.S. military detachment composed of ships, planes, and submarines remains anchored in the Caribbean and has fired on vessels it said it suspected of transporting drugs off the Venezuelan coast. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that Maduro is behind these shipments destined for U.S. soil, and that he must therefore be overthrown and brought before his country’s judicial authorities.

While Maduro didn’t address U.S. ruler Donald Trump directly, he did appear to suggest that his message was for the president.

Trump Calls Off Diplomacy With Maduro As Secret DOJ-Approved Kill List Revealed

Trump has also threatened to bring the war to the land of Venezuela, which could be what Maduro was specifically responding to when he claimed the country would respond.

Trump: US Forces Could Soon Be On The Ground In Venezuela

The Washington Post [behind a paywall] posed an interesting question in an opinion piece authored by Max Boot. Looking beyond whether or not the strikes on Venezuelan boats were legal or not, what is the overall military objective? Why commit the obvious war crime to begin with? What is the goal of Trump’s military?

As Trump puts on a show trying to broker a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, his Department of War is instigating a war with Venezuela after committing war crimes. This has been one of the wildest pro-war and anti-war administrations likely to ever exist. It’s difficult to discern whether we’ll see peace just to have another conflict ignite, or if the peace deals will fall through and broaden.