Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said he is ready to declare a state of emergency in anticipation of a US “aggression,” following a series of US 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 dares to attack our homeland.”

However, a government source told AFP that Maduro has not yet signed the decree.

The source, speaking on condition of 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 following a US military presence near the country’s coasts.

US President Donald Trump deployed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine in the southern Caribbean as part of a declared plan to combat drug trafficking, but the move appears aimed mainly at pressuring Maduro.

US forces have destroyed at least three boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing 14 people in what UN experts described as “extrajudicial executions.”

US military officials are currently considering options to target drug traffickers inside Venezuela’s borders, according to a report by the US NBC news network, which cited four sources familiar with the discussions.

The declaration of a state of emergency would enable Maduro, who was not recognized by most of the international community for his re-election last year, to restrict fundamental rights of Venezuelans.

Rodríguez expressed confidence that Venezuelans would stand united behind Maduro if a US attack occurred.

She said, “Venezuela is united in defending our homeland,” adding, “We will never abandon our homeland.”