Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he is prepared to declare a state of emergency in anticipation of what he called a U.S. “aggression,” following a series of U.S. strikes on boats suspected of drug trafficking from Venezuela, according to his vice president Delcy Rodríguez on Monday.

Rodríguez told foreign diplomats that Maduro signed a decree granting him “special powers” as head of state to act on defense and security matters if the United States “dared to attack our homeland,” as she put it.

Rodríguez expressed confidence that Venezuelans would stand united behind Maduro if a “U.S. attack” occurred. She said, “Venezuela is united in defending our homeland,” adding, “We will never abandon our homeland.”

However, a government source told Agence France-Presse that Maduro has not yet signed the decree. The source, who requested anonymity, said, “The vice president presented the document to show that everything is ready and the president can issue the decree at any time.”

Venezuela is on high alert due to the U.S. military presence near its coasts.

U.S. President Donald Trump deployed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine in the southern Caribbean Sea as part of a plan to combat drug trafficking.

U.S. forces have destroyed at least three boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea in recent weeks, killing 14 people accused of involvement in this activity.

U.S. military officials are currently considering options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela’s borders, according to a report by the American NBC News network, citing four sources familiar with the discussions.