CARACAS — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected renewed pressure from the United States on Monday, vowing that his government would not bow to what he called an illegal campaign of economic coercion. He spoke during a televised address from the Miraflores presidential palace.

The Trump administration has intensified measures against Caracas in recent weeks, tightening restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports and warning of further penalties over drug trafficking and migration. The US State Department has repeatedly linked Maduro's government to the transnational Tren de Aragua gang.

Maduro announced military exercises and civilian militia deployments, describing them as a response to what he characterised as threats to Venezuela's sovereignty. State broadcaster VTV showed troop movements in several states, and the president called on supporters to mobilise.

The standoff carries implications for global oil markets and for regional migration flows, with neighbouring Colombia and Brazil monitoring the situation closely. Millions of Venezuelans have already fled the country's prolonged economic collapse, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will maintain pressure until Venezuela restores democratic governance and cooperates on counter-narcotics efforts. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil dismissed the demands as interference in the country's internal affairs.