Venezuela on Tuesday announced what it called a major, nationwide military deployment to counter the US naval presence off its coast.

Washington is carrying out a military campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, deploying naval and air forces it says are aimed at curbing drug trafficking.

But the operation has sparked fears in Caracas that the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is the ultimate goal of the United States.

Washington’s forces have carried out strikes on at least 20 vessels in international waters since early September, killing at least 76 people, according to US figures.

But the United States has yet to release evidence that the vessels were used to smuggle drugs or posed a threat to the country.

The Venezuelan Defence Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday announcing a “massive deployment” of land, sea, air, river and missile forces as well as civilian militia.