By Amir DaftariShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberVenezuelan President Nicolás Maduro burst into an energetic dance at a weekend rally—swaying, jumping and pumping his fists as he urged supporters to embrace a message of peace, even as the United States ramps up military and political pressure on his government.
The display followed a similar theatrical moment last week, when Maduro appeared before a large crowd singing John Lennon's "Imagine," holding up peace signs as he cast himself as a champion of calm and unity. Together, the performances highlight his flair for spectacle while sending Washington a clear signal of defiance.
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department and Venezuela's Foreign Ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The rallies come amid a sharp escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Since late August, the U.S. has deployed warships, combat aircraft and thousands of personnel in the Caribbean, citing counter-narcotics objectives. Venezuelan officials reject this claim, labeling the operations aggressive and unlawful and accusing Washington of attempting to destabilize Maduro's government.
...What To Know
Over the weekend, Maduro's dancing took center stage at a Caracas rally marking Student Day, as he moved energetically to a looping electronic track built from his own voice.
The track repeated his phrases in English: "No war, no crazy war, no, no, no. Peace, peace, yes peace." He jumped, swayed, and pumped his fists in time with chants from the crowd, which echoed calls for peace. Turning to students, he urged them to connect with their peers in the U.S. and spread his anti-war message. Maduro framed the performance as a demonstration of national strength and unity, signaling Venezuela's refusal to yield to external threats.
Supporters waved flags and raised their hands in response, while state media broadcast the footage widely. Videos of the dance have also circulated across social media platforms.
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Escalating U.S. Military Presence
The U.S. military deployment is one of the largest in the region, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford. American forces have carried out about 20 strikes on vessels that the Trump administration says are tied to narcotics trafficking from Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in at least 83 deaths. Caracas disputes the claims, insisting there is no evidence linking the targeted boats to illegal activity.
Legal and Diplomatic Pressure
Meanwhile, Washington says it is designating the Cartel de los Soles—a network it alleges involves Maduro and senior Venezuelan military officials— as a foreign terrorist organization. The U.S. has also raised the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million. In response, Maduro has deployed hundreds of thousands of troops for military exercises and positioned Russian-made defensive systems across the country.
...Regional Divisions
Latin American governments have reacted in varied ways. Some support U.S. counter-narcotics efforts, citing regional security threats. Others have condemned the strikes as unlawful. Russia has voiced strong criticism of U.S. operations, aligning itself with Caracas. Maduro has called for Latin American solidarity against foreign intervention while seeking military equipment and planning assistance from allies.
What People Are Saying
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro told attendees in Spanish at the Student Day event: "Connect with student movements and students in the United States and tell them: 'Stop the war. No to war. Venezuela wants peace.'"
The U.S. State Department said in a statement: "The Department of State intends to designate Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), effective November 24, 2025. Based in Venezuela, the Cartel de los Soles is headed by Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking individuals."
What Happens Next
With U.S. naval forces continuing their Caribbean operations and diplomatic pressure mounting, Maduro is expected to lean further into rallies, spectacle and symbolic messaging to maintain internal support and frame Venezuela as defending its sovereignty. Meanwhile, the potential for expanded U.S. operations remains high, leaving Venezuela's political future and regional stability uncertain.
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