(MENAFN) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro conducted a public drive through Caracas Friday, projecting stability and routine as American military threats against his nation escalated.

In video clips circulated across social media networks, Maduro appeared cruising down San Martin Boulevard, among the capital's most congested thoroughfares, showcasing functioning businesses, everyday activity, and vehicular movement.

"Everything is fine, as you can see. Normal life continues," Maduro said to his companions as he passed by metro stations and decorated streets ahead of year-end festivities.

Gesturing toward a metro hub and adjacent restaurant, he said: "Here we are on San Martin Boulevard. The Caracas metro is operating over there. That's a nice cafe, I recommend it. The streets are dressed up with decorative lights ahead of the holidays."

When someone accompanying him commented: "But the whole world says you're trembling with fear, hiding in tunnels, and never leaving your house," Maduro responded: "Sending warm greetings to everyone from here, long live our homeland."

"We are the children of (legendary liberator of South America) Simon Bolivar," he emphasized.

US labels Cartel de los Soles as terror group
Regional friction has intensified following Washington's classification of the purported narcotics trafficking operation "Cartel de los Soles," allegedly controlled by Maduro and top Venezuelan authorities, as a foreign terrorist organization.

Venezuela dismissed the accusations and the classification, charging Washington of manufacturing a pretext for potential intervention.

Against the backdrop of mounting hostilities, American forces deployed their largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, alongside its strike group to Latin America, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.

Maduro countered by announcing the activation of 4.5 million militia members in Venezuela, declaring that the country is prepared to repel any aggression.

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