Venezuela held a significant military training event for civilians on Saturday, responding to the recent deployment of US warships in the Caribbean and escalating tensions with the Trump administration. The military exercises come nearly a month after the US stationed naval forces and F-35 fighter jets in proximity to Venezuela, purportedly for anti-drug and anti-terrorism operations.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has characterized the US actions as an “undeclared war” following strikes that allegedly targeted drug traffickers, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen individuals. Caracas has accused Washington of pursuing regime change and attempting to siphon off the nation’s oil and resources.
In the densely populated area of Petare, residents participated in training sessions focused on weapons handling and “revolutionary resistance” techniques. Among the attendees was Luzbi Monterola, a 38-year-old office worker, who expressed her commitment to national defense, stating, “I’m here to learn what I need to learn to defend what is really important to me: my country, my homeland, my nation, Venezuela.”
President Nicolás Maduro, who faces allegations of drug trafficking from the US, has been mobilizing civilians amid escalating confrontations. The Petare neighborhood previously played a prominent role in protests against Maduro’s controversial reelection in July 2024, which was widely deemed fraudulent. Following a recruitment call for military training, Maduro directed the armed forces to engage more directly in local neighborhoods.
The military display in Caracas was relatively muted, featuring approximately 25 armored vehicles and a lower-than-expected number of trainees. Nonetheless, during a gathering with rural workers in the Aragua region, Maduro emphasized the need for “millions” of citizens to be ready to defend the “Bolivarian Republic” should it come under attack from the United States.
Training sessions extended beyond Caracas, occurring in other cities like San Cristobal and Barinas, where reports indicated a lack of significant turnout. Participants, such as 16-year-old John Noriega, expressed the belief that the intentions behind US actions are rooted in greed for Venezuela’s rich natural resources. “All of this is about oil, gold, diamonds — our resources,” he asserted.
State media captured footage of local fishermen navigating their boats alongside Venezuelan naval vessels. Lopez proclaimed the event a crucial milestone in the ongoing military revolution, asserting that both the population and armed forces are united in their efforts.
The military exercises are part of a broader response to the perceived threats from a US flotilla consisting of seven ships and a nuclear-powered submarine. Tensions have heightened further with Trump warning that Venezuela would face “incalculable” consequences if it continued to reject repatriation efforts for migrants he claims have been forced into the United States.
The repatriation of undocumented Venezuelans has remained a rare point of diplomatic negotiation between the two nations. On Friday, a US flight returned 185 Venezuelan citizens, contributing to a total of over 13,000 repatriations since January.
Adding to the tumult, Maduro’s YouTube channel, which has served as a platform for his speeches and messages, disappeared from the site on Saturday, leaving officials in Caracas without an immediate comment on the matter.
