Venezuelan Militia Prepares Amid U.S. Naval Presence
Edith Perales, now 68, recalls enlisting in the National Bolivarian Militia, a civilian defense force established in 2009 under late President Hugo Chávez. Perales, along with thousands of other militia members, is preparing in response to what the Venezuelan government perceives as a potential U.S. military threat amid heightened naval activity in the region. Perales stated he is ready to protect what he refers to as his “bastion” in Caracas’ 23 de Enero neighborhood, historically aligned with Chavismo, the ideology initiated by Chávez and continued by President Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino, described the U.S. naval presence and recent strikes as part of a “non-declared war” against the country. U.S. forces have reportedly engaged in operations aimed at disrupting drug trafficking, resulting in confirmed destruction of vessels and fatalities. Maduro has activated the militia, with many of its members being older citizens, indicating a shift in militia mobilization following perceived threats from the U.S.
Training sessions are now taking place in neighborhoods like Petare, where locals receive instruction from military personnel on handling weapons. Many participants lack prior experience, yet they express a strong commitment to their roles, with statements reflecting a readiness to defend their homeland. Contrarily, life continues normally in areas outside of militia strongholds, suggesting varied public perceptions of the situation.
Experts caution against interpreting U.S. military activity as indicative of planned invasions, noting that while the naval presence is significant, it is not overwhelmingly expansive. However, they highlight a longstanding deterioration in U.S.-Venezuela relations, especially following claims of election fraud involving Maduro’s re-election, which many international observers contest. Some analysts propose that the militia’s role is less about engagement and more about deterring incursions through potential human cost considerations, given the government’s reported figures on civilian enlistment in defense efforts.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y5q173053o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss