Caracas, July 19 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro led a session of the National Defense Council Tuesday evening in Caracas, called in response to recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. 

The session at the Miraflores Presidential Palace was aimed at developing strategies to defend Venezuela's sovereignty after Trump promised "swift and strong actions" if Venezuela decided to proceed with elections for the National Constituent Assembly, scheduled for July 30th. 

Maduro criticized Trump's threats as "vulgar," arguing "the process of the constituent assembly is already in the hands of the people who will exercise their right to vote." 

"This is my response, the constituent assembly does not belong to me. On July 16 the people said this constituent assembly belongs to me," emphasized Maduro, referring to the historic dry run vote where millions came out on Sunday to cast their ballots.