Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro issued multiple provocative statements as U.S. naval vessels reportedly sail towards the coast of the South American nation, Reuters reported Thursday. Maduro made a series of cryptic statements on Wednesday,

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced that more than 4.5 million armed militia members would be deployed across the country this week amid escalating tensions with Washington. Speaking on state television, Maduro said Monday the deployment was part of a “peace plan” and called on the militia members to be “ready, active and armed.”

The Maduro regime has temporarily banned the purchase, sale, and operation of drones in Venezuelan territory, citing national security concerns as tensions with the United States intensify.