Rodriguez told foreign diplomats that Maduro had signed a decree giving himself "special powers" as head of state to act in matters of defense and security in the event the United States "dares to attack our homeland."

But a government source told AFP that Maduro had, in fact, not yet signed the document.

"The vice president presented the document to show that everything was ready and that the president can decree it at any time," the source said on condition of anonymity.