Maduro, who has been the Venezuelan president since 2013, is locked in a conflict with Trump stemming from Washington’s growing presence in the Caribbean . 

A number of Venezuelan boats, accused by Trump of carrying drugs, have been sunk in the Caribbean in the past months.

Trump had even threatened a land attack to foil “a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”

Despite the US-Venezuelan tension getting fatal, Maduro insisted there was nothing to fear. 

"What are they afraid of, if it's not me? It's people standing tall in battle, Bolivarian Chavistas, masters of their own destiny, who will never be humiliated and who will defeat imperialism in any of the threats they attempt against our beloved homeland," he said.

Venezuela responded to US provocations by activating a defence plan on its coasts, which involves 27 territorial operations that would be employed in the event of a direct attack from Washington. 

Officials have warned that the flag, viewed by some as a protest against President Prabowo Subianto’s policies , must not be flown alongside the red-and-white Merah Putih national flag.

Bengawan Aryanto, a 58-year-old entrepreneur, voiced support for the movement.

“I actually wanted to join in. But I had a lot to think about. Still, I think it’s good, it’s creative. And if I get the chance, I’ll wear a One Piece t-shirt, drink One Piece coffee, and even raise the One Piece flag as a form of protest against the government, which isn’t doing well right now,” he said.

Amnesty International Indonesia has questioned the legal basis for banning the flag.

“Has he incited hatred based on religion , ethnicity, race, intergroup relations, national origin or sexual orientation? Is he inciting discrimination on these grounds? Is he propagating a war? For example, of a state or an armed group? If not, then it cannot be banned,” said Usman Hamid, its executive director.

Hamid also noted symbolic parallels between the One Piece flag and Indonesia’s own.

“If we connect it with Indonesia’s independence, on August 17, the spirit of One Piece is the same as that of the Merah Putih : fighting oppression, declaring independence and freedom, and striving for justice and the removal of all restraints,” he said.

The One Piece manga, created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, follows the adventures of a band of pirates in search of a legendary treasure. It has become one of the best-selling comics of all time and has a massive global fan base, with its Jolly Roger emblem recognised worldwide.