(NewsNation) — As Venezuela faces growing pressure from the Trump administration, President Nicolas Maduro promised “absolute loyalty” to his country’s citizens during a ceremony Monday before dancing for the crowd.
“Be sure that just as I swore before the body of our commander Chavez before saying goodbye to him, absolute loyalty at the cost of my own life and tranquility, I swear to you absolute loyalty until beyond, when we can live this beautiful and heroic history,” Maduro said. “Be sure that I will never fail you, never, ever, never.”
Maduro spoke to a crowd outside the presidential palace as a march took place celebrating newly elected Venezuelan leaders. He later danced to a song with the lyrics “No war, yes peace,” which remixed his speech.
Tensions have grown between Venezuela and the Trump administration, which recently designated the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization and accused Maduro of being its leader. Maduro has denied any connections to the cartel.
Venezuela’s National Assembly has gathered for a session to form a commission to investigate U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific. At least 21 strikes have targeted alleged drug boats and left 83 people dead as part of the Trump administration’s “Operation Southern Spear.”
President Donald Trump and Maduro could meet soon, after the two spoke by phone Sunday. The details of that discussion were not made public.