The Venezuelan president said he “would constitutionally declare a republic in arms” if Donald Trump attacks his country.

Nicolas Maduro’s comments came with the White House this week set to boost its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat the threat from Latin American drug cartels.

The US has not signalled any planned land incursion, but Maduro’s government has responded by deploying troops along its coast and border with neighbouring Colombia, and is urging Venezuelans to enlist in a civilian militia.

“In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defence of Venezuela,” Maduro said of the deployment, which he characterised as “an extravagant, unjustifiable, immoral and absolutely criminal and bloody threat”.