Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he is ready to declare a state of emergency over the threat of “aggression” by the United States, following a spate of deadly US attacks on suspected Venezuelan drug boats.

“Today the consultation process began … to declare a state of emergency in accordance with the constitution and protect our people, our peace, and our stability if Venezuela were attacked by the American empire, attacked militarily,” Maduro said in a televised address on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez told foreign diplomats that Maduro had signed a decree giving himself “special powers” as head of state to act in matters of defence and security in the event the US “dares to attack our homeland”.

The decree would allow Maduro to mobilise soldiers thr

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