Rio de Janeiro — Venezuela has launched large-scale military exercises in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with the United States, in a move Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said was aimed at strengthening defences and demonstrating sovereignty.
More than 2,500 troops were taking part in the drills on the Caribbean island of La Orchila, about 180 kilometres off the Venezuelan coast, backed by 12 warships, 22 aircraft, 20 militia boats and artillery, Padrino said on state television on Wednesday.
The militia branch of the Venezuelan military - which includes reservists as well as members of the ruling Socialist Party, state company workers and pensioners - is participating alongside regular forces.
Padrino said that, over three days, the exercises will rehearse landings, air defence, drone operations, electronic warfare and special forces missions, describing the concept as one of an "armed and prepared people."
The manoeuvrers come amid tensions with Washington. US President Donald Trump has accused President Nicolás Maduro's government of tolerating criminal groups with links to the US, citing the Tren de Aragua drug gang, which Washington has labelled a foreign terrorist organization.
Maduro has in turn accused Washington of escalating tensions by deploying warships near Venezuela, calling the US military presence in the Caribbean the "greatest threat" in a century.
Trump said this week that US forces had struck another vessel allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three people. Washington says its military has intercepted three such ships in recent days and killed 11 people in earlier operations.
Several UN human rights experts condemned the deadly strikes as violations of international and maritime law.
©2025 dpa GmbH. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
