Venezuela mobilises millions amid US naval activity in Latin America

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the deployment of 4.5 million militiamen across the country, warning that “no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela.”

The announcement comes after the United States doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest and reported increased naval activity near Latin America and the Caribbean, according to CNN.

Last week, it was reported that the US had dispatched naval forces to the region to counter drug trafficking. Reuters later cited plans for three US Navy destroyers and roughly 4,000 personnel to arrive near Venezuela within 36 hours.

However, a US defence official said on August 19 that no ships were currently in the area and no orders had been issued for deployment. Venezuela has nearly 2,500 miles of coastline.

During a televised meeting with governors and mayors, Maduro described the US threats as “extravagant, bizarre and outlandish,” and announced plans to activate worker and peasant militias in factories and workplaces nationwide. “Missiles and rifles for the working class, to defend our homeland,” he said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Donald Trump “is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice,” reiterating that the US does not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president.

The Venezuelan government dismissed US drug trafficking allegations as “threats and defamation.” The Venezuelan Militia, created under Hugo Chávez and formally integrated into the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, aims to involve civilians in national defence.

Venezuela’s military is estimated to have 95,000–150,000 active personnel, with a much larger National Militia capable of serving as reservists.

According to Global Fire Power, Venezuela ranks 50th globally in military strength, while the US, Russia, and China occupy the top three positions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev