The ruler of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, announced on Monday the deployment of 4.5 million militants to respond to what he termed “extravagant threats” from the United States, after Washington raised the bounty to 50 million dollars for information leading to his capture.
During a broadcast transmitted nationwide, Maduro asserted that the militias “are prepared, activated, and armed” and that his government will implement a special plan to ensure their deployment throughout the national territory.
“Rifles and missiles for the farmer's force! To defend the territory, sovereignty, and peace of Venezuela. Missiles and rifles for the working class, so they can defend our homeland!” exclaimed the Chavista leader.
The Bolivarian Militia, created by Hugo Chávez and currently comprising about 5 million reservists, became part of the five components of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).
It is made up of armed civilians, public officials, retired military personnel, and workers from organizations aligned with Chavismo who have received military training.
Maduro's announcement comes amid the tension generated by the U.S. anti-narcotics operation in the Caribbean, which includes the deployment of warships near Venezuelan waters.
The Trump administration considers the Venezuelan leader as the head of the so-called “Cartel of the Suns” and a threat to national security.
This is not the first time Maduro has resorted to militaristic rhetoric: in previous occasions, he has promised that, in the event of foreign intervention, Venezuela would become the "Vietnam of the 21st century."
This time, he also called on the bases of chavism to accelerate the formation of peasant and workers' militias “in all factories and workplaces across the country.”
The speech reaffirms the ruler's strategy to strengthen the military and political component of chavismo in the face of international pressure, although analysts point out that the militia's real operational capacity is limited compared to U.S. military power.
The U.S. has deployed military forces in the Caribbean and has increased the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to 50 million dollars.
Washington has designated the Cártel de los Soles as a terrorist organization and has sanctioned its leaders, freezing their assets and prohibiting transactions with them.
According to U.S. authorities, this cartel, composed of high-ranking Venezuelan officials, uses its position to facilitate the shipment of drugs to the United States, collaborating with groups such as the Tren de Aragua and the Cártel de Sinaloa.
Frequently asked questions about the deployment of militia members in Venezuela and the tension with the U.S.
How many militia members has Nicolás Maduro deployed in Venezuela?
Nicolás Maduro announced the deployment of 4.5 million militias across Venezuelan territory. This deployment is part of his response to the "extravagant threats" from the United States, in his own words. The Bolivarian Militia, which is part of the Bolivarian National Armed Force, is made up of armed civilians, public officials, and retired military personnel, all of whom have military training.
Why does the United States consider Nicolás Maduro a threat?
The United States government considers Nicolás Maduro as the leader of the Cártel de los Soles, an organization that, according to Washington, is involved in drug trafficking to the United States. Due to these accusations, the administration of Donald Trump has classified the cartel as a terrorist organization and has offered a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to Maduro's arrest.
What measures has the U.S. taken against Maduro's regime?
The United States has increased the reward for the capture of Nicolás Maduro to 50 million dollars and has deployed military forces in the Caribbean near Venezuela. Additionally, it has designated the Cartel of the Suns as a terrorist organization and sanctioned its leaders, freezing their assets and prohibiting transactions with them. These actions are part of a strategy to combat drug trafficking and apply pressure on the Venezuelan regime.
What is the Bolivarian Militia and what is its role?
The Bolivarian Militia is a component of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) of Venezuela, established by Hugo Chávez. It consists of armed civilians, public officials, and retired military personnel who have received military training. Its primary function is to defend the territory and sovereignty of Venezuela, and in the current context, they have been mobilized by Maduro to confront the "threats" from the U.S.
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