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New Delhi: Venezuela is deploying troops along its Caribbean coast and mobilizing what President Nicolás Maduro claims is a civilian militia numbering in the millions, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The move comes in response to what Maduro describes as the largest US military buildup in the Caribbean since the 1980s.
State-run media have amplified Maduro’s message, portraying the United States as an imperialist aggressor seeking control of Venezuela’s oil wealth. Television, radio, and social media broadcasts have emphasized that the National Bolivarian Armed Forces are fully prepared to repel any foreign incursion.
Footage aired by Venezuelan media shows militia members of all ages taking part in military-style drills, navigating obstacle courses, firing rifles, and conducting combat exercises. The country’s regular armed forces, which number roughly 125,000 on paper, were also shown marching in formation, handling munitions, and operating Russian-made fighter jets.
“The people are ready for combat, ready for battle,” Maduro said in a recent rally. He has also encouraged indigenous communities to join the effort and called on civilian militias to prepare for potential conflict with US forces.
In contrast, the US has positioned a powerful military presence near Venezuelan waters and airspace. This includes eight Navy warships, an attack submarine, F-35B fighter jets, P-8 Poseidon surveillance planes, and MQ-9 Reaper drones. US special operations forces, including the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, have been conducting training exercises within 90 miles of Venezuela’s border.
Some former Venezuelan military officers now in exile argue that the display is largely symbolic—an attempt to project strength rather than prepare for real conflict. “They know it’s a lost cause but are trying to frighten American troops a little,” said Edward Rodriguez, a former colonel, in an interview with WSJ.
Meanwhile, as Maduro calls for national mobilization, a portion of the population sees the growing US presence and international scrutiny as an opportunity for political change.
This perspective has gained new momentum following the announcement that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She was honored for her unwavering efforts to promote democracy, human rights, and social justice in Venezuela. Machado has long pushed for peaceful political reform and has earned international acclaim for her commitment to a democratic transition.
