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Venezuelan Government Strengthens Military Presence In Response To American Naval Patrols And Threats Of Attacks Against Alleged Cartels.
The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced the mobilization of 25,000 soldiers. The reinforcement takes place at the borders with Colombia and the Caribbean. This action is a direct response to the escalating tensions with the United States, which is conducting patrols in waters near the country.
The Escalation Of Tension And The Venezuelan Response
The decision to strengthen security comes after a serious incident. The U.S. Navy sunk a vessel with 11 alleged drug traffickers from Venezuela. Sources from the Donald Trump administration stated that targeted military actions against drug trafficking targets on Venezuelan soil are not ruled out.
In response, Maduro justified the mobilization as an act of defense. “I ordered the mobilization of 25,000 men and women of our glorious FANB,” the president published. “This mobilization aims primarily at the defense of national sovereignty, the security of the country, and the fight for peace.”
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Strategic Areas: The Focus Of Military Mobilization
The mobilization strengthens the Rapid Reaction Units (URRAS). The main focus is the “Binational Peace Zone,” which includes the states of Táchira and Zulia, on the border with Colombia.
The military presence has also been reinforced in other areas. On the western Caribbean coast, in La Guajira and Falcón, where the main oil refineries are located. And in the eastern Atlantic strip, in the states of Nueva Esparta, Sucre, and Delta Amacuro, near Guyana.
Total Reinforcement: The Role Of The Militias And The Defense Minister
The Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, confirmed the details. The new mobilization adds to the 10,000 active soldiers. Drones, naval and riverine equipment have been sent to strategic areas, such as the Sierra de Perijá. According to Colombian authorities, the region is used by guerrillas and drug traffickers.
“No one will come to do what we must do ourselves,” Padrino declared. The defense plan also envisions the use of militias. Maduro stated that 220,000 militia members have been summoned for the operations.
Washington’s Justification And The Direct Threats
Amid the growing pressure from the U.S., then-President Donald Trump toughened his rhetoric. He threatened to shoot down Venezuelan planes that posed a threat to American naval operations.
According to the Trump administration, the patrols are part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking. Caracas, on the other hand, classifies these actions as a military provocation and a clear violation of its sovereignty.
