Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro danced with a humanoid robot on state television Monday while the United States was getting ready for major military action in the Caribbean. The odd performance happened at the Expo Motores Productivos 2025 event in Caracas. Maduro swayed to a “gaita,” a traditional Venezuelan Christmas song, while the robot moved stiffly beside him with jerking motions and a nodding head.
According to The Sun, Maduro used the televised event to speak directly to Americans. He wished them Merry Christmas and positioned himself as someone who wants peace, while claiming the US wants war and regime change. He told American viewers, “Don’t worry, be happy. Be happy, be happy! Be happy like a worm and make others happy too.”
He accused President Donald Trump’s government of trying to overthrow him and take Venezuela’s oil and resources. Maduro also criticized Trump personally, saying the president should focus on problems in his own country instead of talking about Venezuela so much. He said, “It’s not possible that 70% of his speeches and statements are about Venezuela.”
Trump’s military buildup shows serious intentions
While Maduro danced with robots, the Trump administration was increasing military pressure on Venezuela. The US moved at least 10 CV-22 Osprey aircraft from New Mexico into the Caribbean this week.
C-17 cargo planes also flew to Puerto Rico with troops and equipment from special forces units, including the 27th Special Operations Wing, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and Army Rangers.
Nicolás Maduro bailó con un robot humanoide durante la inauguración de la Expo Motores Productivos 2025, en Caracas, Venezuela.#Maduro #Venezuela pic.twitter.com/qaqYYMRz96
— Noticias En Desarrollo (@NEndesarrollo) December 23, 2025
Retired Air Force lieutenant general David Deptula said the military is clearly getting ready to act. He noted, “They are prepositioning forces to take action. The question that remains is to accomplish what?”
Trump himself talked about the deployment, calling it “a massive armada” and “the biggest we’ve ever had in South America.” He also said land operations would start soon. This isn’t the first time Maduro has sent messages to the US through unusual public displays.
The US is also targeting Venezuela’s economy by stopping oil shipments. American forces intercepted a third Venezuelan oil tanker this month as part of what Trump calls a “total and complete blockade.” The Coast Guard boarded the Panamanian-flagged Bella 1, a sanctioned tanker accused of being part of a shadow fleet avoiding restrictions.
USA
— abogadosvenezuela (@abogadosvenezu1) December 22, 2025abordó el “Bella 1”, tercer buque venezolano incautado
Fuerzas Armadas de Estados Unidos abordaron el petrolero “Bella 1” cuando se dirigía a Venezuela a cargar crudo. Se trata del tercer buque incautado bajo las órdenes del presidente Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/8VzY5OtPq3
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US will keep chasing these illegal oil shipments. She explained, “We will find you, and we will stop you.” When Trump was asked what would happen to the seized oil, he simply said, “We keep it, I guess.” The administration has been ramping up enforcement actions, with drug boat strikes increasing this week as part of the broader regional operation.
Interestingly, Maduro isn’t the only leader performing with robots lately. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who supports Venezuela, was also shown on state television watching a dancing humanoid robot in Moscow. It’s a strange sight given the serious military situation developing in the region.
