Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered military exercises in response to President Trump's threat to use force in Venezuela. CGTN's Juan Carlos Lamas has more from Caracas. 

 

JUAN CARLOS LAMAS CARACAS "A defiant President Nicolas Maduro told supporters in Caracas that Venezuela will defend itself from U.S. aggression." 

 

NICOLAS MADURO VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT "Once again, the people, Once again, the street. Once again, bravery before the menace from the imperialism, the threat of the tycoon and Emperor Donald Trump. Here's the answer from the people in the streets.

 

JUAN CARLOS LAMAS CARACAS "And Maduro's answer to Trump-a nationwide military exercise." Maduro said he ordered Venezuela's joint chiefs-of-staff to organize a joint civil-military drill for, quote,"the integrated armed defense of the Venezuelan nation." He insisted that the "land of Venezuela" is quote, "sacred and should never be touched by the Yankee imperialist boot.The two-day drill is scheduled for August 26th and 27th. Maduro also accused the Venezuelan opposition of colluding with the United States to undermine his government." 

 

NICOLAS MADURO VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT"They have a 'Trojan Horse' here. And that fifth column, that Trojan Horse, is called the Venezuelan opposition. The stateless right is the 'fifth column' of the North American imperialism on Venezuelan soil." 

 

"Let's prepare ourselves," Maduro said, "to defend the peace with tanks, planes and guns." Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has been emphasizing diplomacy here in Latin America-saying he's here to "achieve the restoration of democracy" by, quote, "peaceable means." Pence met with Venezuelan refugees in Colombia today, at the beginning of his four-nation visit to Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Panama. Juan Carlos Lamas, CGTN, Caracas.