Venezuela Offers Military Training to Civilians Amid US Threats

Venezuela organised a day of military training for civilians on Saturday in response to the US military presence in the Caribbean and new threats from President Donald Trump.

Nearly a month ago, the United States deployed warships to international waters off Venezuela’s coast, supported by F-35 fighter jets sent to Puerto Rico, as part of what Washington describes as an anti-drug and anti-terrorism operation.

Accusations and Military Posture

• Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused Washington of waging an “undeclared war” in the Caribbean after US strikes killed over a dozen alleged drug traffickers near Venezuelan waters.
• Caracas also accused the United States of attempting regime change and seizing Venezuela’s oil, gold, and other resources.

In the densely populated Petare neighbourhood of Caracas, the main avenue was temporarily closed for a series of mini-courses on weapons handling and “revolutionary resistance” tactics.

“I’m here to learn what I need to defend what is truly important to me: my country, my homeland, my nation, Venezuela,” said Luzbi Monterola, a 38-year-old office worker. “I am afraid of nothing and no one.”

Mobilisation of Civilians

President Nicolás Maduro, accused by Washington of running a drug cartel, has long sought to mobilise civilians amid the escalating standoff.

• Petare, previously a hub for protests against Maduro’s July 2024 reelection, saw volunteers attending training sessions in groups of 30.
• Topics covered included weapons handling, mask usage, basic first aid, and ideological instruction.
• In rural Aragua, Maduro urged “millions” to **be prepared to take up arms and defend the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela if attacked by the American empire.”

Outside Caracas, training also took place in San Cristóbal and Barinas, although turnout was reportedly low, according to AFP correspondents.

“All of this is about oil, gold, diamonds—our resources,” said 16-year-old John Noriega, attending with his parents. “We will fight for what belongs to us.”

Military Exercises and Naval Patrols

• Venezuelan state television footage showed fishing boats operating alongside naval vessels along the coasts.
• Lopez described the initiative as a “military revolution written by the people and the Armed Forces together.”
• Venezuela recently launched three days of military exercises on La Orchila island in response to a US flotilla comprising seven ships and a nuclear-powered submarine.

US Threats and Repatriation

• President Trump warned Venezuela of “incalculable” consequences if it failed to repatriate migrants he claimed had been “forced into the United States.”
• On Friday, a US plane repatriated 185 Venezuelans to Caracas, bringing the total repatriated since Trump’s return to office in January to over 13,000.
• Repatriation of undocumented Venezuelans remains one of the few areas of ongoing dialogue, a diplomatic source told AFP.

On Saturday, Maduro’s YouTube channel, which hosts most of his speeches, disappeared from the platform. Venezuelan officials have not provided immediate comment.

Summary Table of Key Events

Venezuela’s escalating military and civilian mobilisation reflects the tense standoff with the United States, highlighting the strategic importance of its natural resources and the government’s continued efforts to consolidate internal support.