Venezuela asserts possession of 5,000 Russian Igla-S missiles Amid tensions with US

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has announced that the country possesses a large arsenal of Russian man-portable missile systems intended to defend the nation from potential external aggression.

Speaking on national television, Maduro said that Venezuela has approximately 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS) at its disposal, according to Venezuelan media. 

He stressed that these weapons form a crucial part of the country’s defensive capabilities, particularly in the face of what he described as possible military threats from the United States.

“The power of the Igla-S is known to any military force in the world, and Venezuela has at least 5,000 of them,” the president stated. He added that maintaining such an arsenal is a key element of national security and reflects Venezuela’s readiness to defend its sovereignty and interests.

The Russian Igla-S system is designed to destroy aerial targets at low altitudes and has long been deployed by the Venezuelan armed forces. Maduro emphasised that Venezuela intends to continue enhancing its defence capacity and deepening its cooperation with international partners in the military field.

He also noted that the country has a considerable number of trained MANPADS operators who can be deployed across Venezuelan territory if needed to reinforce its air defence network.

Maduro’s remarks came amid growing tensions with Washington. In recent weeks, the US military has carried out several operations off the coast of Venezuela, destroying vessels it claims were being used for drug trafficking. NBC reported that the Pentagon is drawing up plans for potential strikes against drug traffickers inside Venezuela, which could be launched in the coming weeks.

White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said on August 19 that US President Donald Trump had expressed his readiness to use “all elements of US power” to combat drug trafficking in the region — including the possible launch of a military operation in Venezuela.

The statement followed the deployment of US naval assets, including a missile cruiser and a nuclear-powered attack submarine, to waters near Venezuela’s shores.

Caracas denounced the move as a deliberate provocation aimed at destabilising the region, accusing Washington of violating international treaties that guarantee the nuclear-free and demilitarised status of the Caribbean.

By Tamilla Hasanova