The Venezuelan President published a video message to his citizens on September 13th, urging every able-bodied man and woman to visit the country’s military barracks to receive training on various weapon systems and their operations, including basic military tactics, in anticipation of threats posed against Venezuela.
Maduro stated that there are over 312 military barracks in Venezuela that would be open to the public, and that starting on September 13th, “patriots,” reserve soldiers, members of the Bolivarian National Militia, and “the people” should report to the barracks at 9 a.m. to begin their courses.
Such rhetoric does not de-escalate the situation in Venezuela. The government believes there is a genuine threat to the state’s existence and insists that citizens should “prepare” themselves for the worst, including by arming themselves.
At the same time, a U.S. warship detained 11 Venezuelan fishermen who were operating in Venezuela’s exclusive economic zone. They were held for over eight hours until the Venezuelan Navy was able to retrieve them after negotiations and discussions.
U.S. military assets have been steadily increasing in Puerto Rico since the start of September. SOUTHCOM has received several additional warships, along with a sizeable contingent of U.S. Marines, Navy assets, and Air Force elements, including F-35s and C-17s.
Such an aggressive military posture by a global superpower in a theater that poses no direct military threat to the United States has understandably caused unease across South America. Coupled with the U.S. bounty on Maduro, calls to “disarm” the Venezuelan state, and accusations that Venezuela is a narco-state with deep influence inside U.S. civil society, Maduro responded defiantly, raising his fist in the air and directly appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that “his advisors are lying to him.”
The situation remains tense, and escalation in the near future seems to be inevitable.