Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Monday that he will activate a special plan to deploy 4.5 million militia members across the country in response to what he called “outlandish threats” from the United States, CBS News reported. His remarks come just days after Washington doubled the bounty on his head to $50 million and expanded anti-drug efforts near Venezuelan waters in the Caribbean.
“This week, I will activate a special plan with more than 4.5 million militiamen to ensure coverage of the entire national territory — militias that are prepared, activated and armed,” Maduro said during a state television address, according to CBS.
The Venezuelan militia, established under former President Hugo Chavez, is officially said to be around five million in strength, though actual figures are likely lower. The country’s total population is estimated to be around 30 million.
Arms for Workers and Peasants
Maduro strongly criticised the US as he accused Washington of renewing “extravagant, bizarre and outlandish threats.”
He also called for expanding the formation of worker and peasant militias across industries, urging them to be armed and ready.
“Rifles and missiles for the peasant force! To defend the territory, sovereignty, and peace of Venezuela,” the Venezuelan President declared.
Background on the US Allegations
The US has long accused Maduro of leading the Cartel de los Soles, a drug trafficking ring allegedly involving senior Venezuelan officials. President Donald Trump’s administration has increased sanctions on Maduro and his allies, and deployed naval assets to the Caribbean.
Maduro’s bounty, first set at $15 million in 2020, was increased to $50 million earlier this month following additional sanctions and his contested 2024 presidential re-election, which the US does not recognise.
Continued Defiance
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, for his part, said that the country’s forces were also active in national waters.
While he did not mention specific American actions, Maduro thanked supporters for “standing with Venezuela” against what he called the “rotten refrain” of the US threats.
The Maduro government has consistently rejected American accusations, calling its domestic militarisation as a matter of national defense and sovereignty.
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