CARACAS (AFP) — With United States warships deployed off Venezuela's coast, President Nicolas Maduro said Saturday a plan to defend against what he called American threats is now complete.

Washington accuses Maduro of heading a drug cartel and has deployed significant military assets — including stealth warplanes and several US Navy ships — as part of what it says are counter-narcotics efforts in the Caribbean.

Maduro, an authoritarian socialist who is widely accused of stealing elections last year, says Washington is plotting regime change.

Trump has indicated that he authorized covert CIA operations against Venezuela, without offering specifics.

Maduro has responded to the big US military operation by ordering exercises around the country and positions soldiers at the borders.

"Today we have completed all the country's integrated defense zones," Maduro said in a recording released on Telegram.