Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro expands his powers in case US attacks

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has signed a decree to give himself increased security powers should the US military enter the country.

The move, announced by the nation's vice president Delcy Rodriguez on Monday, comes as tensions continue to escalate between the two countries. Mr Maduro has publicly alleged US President Donald Trump and his administration are plotting to oust him.

The decree would allow Mr Maduro to mobilise armed forces throughout the country and give the military authority over public services and the oil industry. It comes after the US deployed a fleet of warships through the Caribbean, which Washington says is to combat drug trafficking through the region.

The US has also, in recent weeks, struck several boats it claims were carrying illegal drugs from Venezuela, killing those on board. The legality of this has been questioned by experts.

Mr Maduro has privately attempted to reconcile with Mr Trump. He sent a letter to his counterpart earlier this month offering to engage in direct talks.

Claims that Venezuela played a big role in drug trafficking have been rejected my Mr Maduro, who says he wants the relationship with the US to be "historic and peaceful". However, US military officials are drawing up plans to target drug traffickers in Venezuela, Sky News' US partner network NBC reported on Friday.

Ms Rodriguez said: "What the US government, what warlord Marco Rubio is doing against Venezuela, is a threat." Read more from Sky News:Putin's defiant message on Ukraine war after Trump's major reversalNetanyahu issues fresh threat to Hamas if it rejects Trump's peace plan Venezuela's military has carried out training exercises with volunteer militia members in recent days. Soldiers have been teaching members of the public to handle weapons for what leaders call a possible US incursion.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Reuters news agency. The powers granted to Mr Maduro would be valid for a 90-day period, with the option to renew for a further 90 days, according to the nation's constitution..