Venezuelan president warns of “armed struggle” if attacked

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in a live broadcast on Thursday that his government is prepared to engage in an "armed struggle" to defend peace and national sovereignty.

Maduro made the remarks as tensions between Venezuela and the United States are escalating, which are triggered by the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea.

He also said that if the Venezuelan government is forced into an armed conflict, it will be a fight for peace, sovereignty, the homeland, and in defense of this land.

The president said that Venezuela would continue to advance along the current path.

On the same day, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused the United States of imposing 1,042 "criminal" and "illegal" sanctions against Venezuela, claiming they violate the country's human rights.

Gil also condemned the recent U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, saying it has significantly escalated the tensions.

The United States has recently stationed several warships, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela. The Venezuelan government views the U.S. move as a military threat intended to force a change in government.

This military posture was followed by a November 29 social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he declared that airspace over and around Venezuela should be considered fully closed.

In response, Venezuela subsequently issued a strong condemnation, calling the statement a threat to its airspace sovereignty.

Despite the intensified rhetoric, a channel of high-level contact remains open.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington was communicating with regional allies to coordinate its position and would "evaluate new measures" regarding Venezuela in the coming days.

He said that the current issue with Maduro lies in the unfulfilled commitments from the bilateral negotiations.

President Maduro also confirmed in an earlier televised speech on Wednesday that he had held a telephone conversation with Trump.

"If this call means steps are being taken toward a respectful dialogue between our countries, then dialogue is welcome, diplomacy is welcome," Maduro said in the speech.

Venezuelan president warns of “armed struggle” if attacked

The final supermoon of 2025 graced the night skies over China from Thursday evening through to early Friday, creating some spectacular illuminated scenery.

According to the Beijing Planetarium, this supermoon reached its fullest phase at 07:14 Beijing time on Friday morning.

Approximately 12 hours prior, the moon passed its perigee -- the closest point to Earth -- with the Earth-moon distance being less than 360,000 kilometers, meeting the common definition of a supermoon and ranking as the second largest full moon of the year.

The latest supermoon occurrence was preceded by a stunning and even larger one back in November, which occurred nine hours before the perigee, while there was also a smaller one in October.

Astronomers say that the "secret" to enjoying the supermoon at its peak is all about timing and location. They note the golden hour comes shortly after sunset when the moon just rises.

Against the backdrop of trees or buildings, it appears exceptionally large and full, while there may be a sense of illusion which makes the shimmering moon appear all the more impressive.

"When the moon just rises, it may appear larger against terrestrial scenery. By midnight on the same day, when it's high in the sky with no contrasting objects around, it seems smaller. This isn't an actual change in size, but an illusion," said Kou Wen, a senior engineer at the Beijing Planetarium. Astronomers say the next supermoon will not appear until this time next year, though it is anticipated to be even more noteworthy.

"The next such supermoon will occur in December of next year. That time, the interval between passing perigee and the full moon will be only about six or seven hours, making it even closer than both occurrences this year," Kou said.

Final supermoon of 2025 illuminates night sky