Spotlight: Venezuelan president acts against "systematic aggression"

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denounced on Tuesday what he called a plan of "systematic aggression" from within and abroad against his government.

At a news conference with international media, Maduro said some external factors are preparing an "onslaught" against the country. He said the local opposition is also playing a role in laying the ground for foreign military intervention.

He said the private media and political parties that form the opposition right-wing Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) are inflaming tensions in the country.

Maduro accused the United States of espionage and aircraft incursions entrusted with spying activities.

The incursion of U.S. planes into Venezuela's airspace were detected on May 11 and 13, said the president.

Maduro's finger pointing at the United States is supported by Argentine political observer Atilio Boron.

The Harvard-educated professor and author told Xinhua at a recent conference in Havana that Washington is working to stamp out progressive governments in Latin American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela and Bolivia.

Boron attributed the U.S. movement to a plan launched in 2013 to reinstate Washington's influence in Latin America following the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

"Venezuela is the cherry on the cake in Latin America and many U.S. agencies are involved with the righ-wing opposition to end the Bolivarian Revolution in that country," Boron said.

He further predicted that in the coming months, Venezuela's opposition with Washington's help will push to topple Maduro's government through either a recall referendum or a "parliamentary coup" similar to that in Brazil.

Adding to Venezuela's political troubles is a serious economic crisis, characterized by plunging oil prices, soaring inflation and a severe shortage of goods.

Since early this year, an emergency decree has been renewed for the second time after a fresh 60-day extension was announced on Monday.

The State of Economic Emergency Decree, which was signed on Jan. 14 and renewed on March 14 for another 60 days, includes 12 articles, aimed at protecting the population's social-economic rights and outlining actions to defend the country's territorial sovereignty.

Furthermore, it also contains measures to solicit international aid to help restore parts of an environment affected by serious droughts and difficulties in the country's electricity service, which has been affected by low water levels.

Facing natural and social challenges, Maduro has taken actions after Boron's warning that Latin America's left-wing political parties should be aware of Washington's "recolonization strategy."

Maduro on Saturday ordered the military to hold war games within a week to counter foreign threats, which has won the support of Venezuela's Armed Force.

He also asked Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez to counteract the distorted information about Venezuela reported by various North American and Spanish newspapers.

The president said the false reports are "softening the terrain for a military intervention."

"We demand that the world campaign of harassment, threats, hate and manipulation come to an end," said Maduro. Endi