Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said Saturday the country is conducting military exercises to protect its coast against any potential "covert operations" as the United States expands its regional military presence.

The move comes a day after the Pentagon ordered the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group into the region, an escalation of the ongoing campaign of deadly attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have killed at least 43 people.

"We are conducting an exercise that began 72 hours ago, a coastal defense exercise... to protect ourselves not only from large-scale military threats but also to protect ourselves from drug trafficking, terrorist threats and covert operations that aim to destabilize the country internally," Padrino said.

Tensions are mounting

See Full Page