Venezuela's President mobilizes militiary men as US plans Navy presence in Latin America - CNN
Photo: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (GettyImages)
President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced the deployment of millions of military men across the country after the United States increased the presence of its naval forces in Latin American waters and the Caribbean, CNN reports.
US to send nuclear submarine to Latin American coast
On July 16, the US announced it would send more than 4,000 marines and sailors to Latin American and Caribbean waters as part of intensified efforts to fight drug cartels.
The Southern Command will also receive a nuclear submarine, an additional reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers, and a missile cruiser.
One of CNN’s sources emphasized that this military buildup is largely demonstrative, intended more as a signal than as an actual campaign against drug cartels.
Venezuela mobilizes militias
In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of militias nationwide, assuring that “no empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela.”
“This week, I am going to activate a special plan to guarantee coverage with more than 4.5 million militiamen throughout the national territory. Militias prepared, activated, and armed,” Maduro declared during a televised meeting with governors and mayors.
The Venezuelan government rejected Washington’s accusations of involvement in drug trafficking, stating that the US is resorting to “threats and defamation.”
US fight against drug cartels
On August 9, US President Donald Trump secretly signed an order allowing the Pentagon to carry out military operations both at sea and on the territory of foreign states, aimed at destroying or neutralizing the activities of Latin American drug cartels. They were given the status of terrorist groups.
After Donald Trump assumed the presidency for the second time, he intensified anti-drug trafficking measures, considering drug cartels one of the main threats to US security.
In particular, National Guard units and regular troops were deployed along the southwestern border, and the State Department was instructed to classify the major drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
The Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles was added to this list, which, according to the US, is personally overseen by Nicolás Maduro and several senior officials in his administration.
