STORY: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday (December 8) emphasized the role of national strength in ensuring peace and fostering social welfare during a government review meeting broadcast on state television.

“The more power the nation has, the more secure the path to peace will be, to build our own model based on maximum social happiness, which is what inspires us, according to the liberator Simón Bolivar,” Maduro said at the event attended by government ministers.

Maduro also highlighted the importance of the country's military in safeguarding national sovereignty and security, describing their efforts as "professional and scientific".

“And there is the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, consolidating the nation's defence system in a professional and scientific manner, with high combat morale and imperturbable serenity, exercising national sovereignty and guaranteeing the security of the entire homeland," he stated.

The comment comes following months of U.S. pressure on Venezuela, including strikes against alleged drug-smuggling boats, threats of military action, and the designation of Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist group.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: VIDEO QUALITY AS INCOMING / CROSS DISSOLVES BETWEEN SHOTS FROM SOURCE

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (DECEMBER 8, 2025) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO AT A GOVERNMENT MEETING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING [SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER VARIOUS SHOTS OF MEETING IN PROGRESS]:

“The more power the nation has, the more secure the path to peace will be, to build our own model based on maximum social happiness, which is what inspires us, according to the liberator Simón Bolivar.”

3. VARIOUS OF MINISTERS ATTENDING THE MEETING

4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SAYING [SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER SHOT OF ATTENDEE AT MEETING]:

“And there is the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, consolidating the nation's defence system in a professional and scientific manner, with high combat morale and imperturbable serenity, exercising national sovereignty and guaranteeing the security of the entire homeland, a perfect fusion of the people, the military, and the police, in full development.”

5. MINISTERS AT THE MEETING

6. MADURO AT GOVERNMENT REVIEW MEETING