The regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro began this Thursday (23) a new series of new military exercises in several regions of Venezuela, in response to the presence of US troops in the Caribbean Sea, close to the country’s territorial waters.
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) stated that the maneuvers seek to “defend the territory in the face of the threat” from the United States, amid increased tension between Caracas and Washington.
Operations take place in the coastal regions of La Guaira, Miranda, Anzoátegui, Carabobo, Falcón and Zulia, in addition to the island of Nueva Esparta, located in the southeast of the Caribbean. Images broadcast by the state broadcaster Venezuelan Television (VTV) showed troops carrying out defense simulations and movement of armored vehicles in strategic coastal areas.
According to the Venezuelan military command, the activities are part of the “Independence 200” plan, which began on October 8. The program, according to the Chavista regime, seeks to “reach the optimal point of preparation in the face of the threat”, in direct reference to the American military presence.
During the opening of the exercises, the Chavista governor of Anzoátegui, Luis Marcano, declared that the mobilization “allows us to strengthen the defense” of the coast. The commander of the Integral Defense Operational Zone (ZODI) Anzoátegui, Norber Torres, announced that a “mixed patrol” will be carried out with the aim of “detecting, capturing and blocking enemy entry through adjacent routes” to the country’s coasts.
This Wednesday (22), Maduro stated that Venezuela has “more than 5,000 Russian Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles”, classifying the weapon as “one of the most powerful weapons in existence”. The dictator also stated that the system is essential to guarantee “the tranquility” of the nation in the face of a possible foreign offensive.
The United States justifies the operation in the Caribbean as part of an offensive against regional drug trafficking. According to the American government, the military presence aims to contain drug trafficking from Venezuela – an allegation rejected by Caracas, which accuses Washington of preparing a “regime change”.
