Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized approximately 4 million members of the Bolivarian National Militia in response to the deployment of U.S. military assets, including guided-missile destroyers, near Venezuela’s coast, according to government and media reports.
The U.S. action includes sending three Aegis-equipped destroyers and around 4,000 Marines to the southern Caribbean as part of efforts to counter drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
In a televised address, Maduro announced the activation of a “special plan” deploying over 4.5 million militiamen across the country to ensure full territorial coverage. He denounced what he termed “outlandish threats” from Washington and emphasized national defense.
The Trump administration has also doubled the reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million and accused him of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking organization. In turn, Maduro has denounced these accusations and intensified internal security measures, including bans on drones and increased patrols.
The escalated posturing is seen by officials and analysts as a broader U.S. strategy to apply pressure on Maduro’s government via military and financial levers.
