Caracas (EFE).- More than 300 young supporters of Venezuela’s ruling party began what authorities called a “basic resistance training” program on Friday, framed as a response to threats from the United States, which deployed military ships to the Caribbean to combat drug trafficking.
National media outlets reported that 319 young people, mostly from the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and allied groups within the ruling Great Patriotic Pole coalition, gathered in the coastal state of La Guaira for the first stage of their training.
Venezuelan Minister Diosdado Cabello, who leads the initiative, urged chavista parties to form “combatant units to defend the homeland.”
“Yesterday, President (Nicolás Maduro) called to arms all Venezuelans who love the country, in the face of threats, aggressions, and violations of international law by imperialism,” Cabello said.
“They threaten us because they think that with intimidation they can achieve what they have not achieved through votes,” he added.
Maduro mobilizes militia after US moves
On Thursday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced a nationwide enlistment drive for the Bolivarian Militia in response to Washington’s proposed naval patrols.
He ordered the militia to join the so-called Cuadrantes de Paz, territorial organizations that combine civilians and security forces.
According to the presidential press office, militia members will participate in “patrols, surveillance, and other actions” alongside state security forces, with the stated goal of “strengthening citizen security strategies and improving coordination between communities and law enforcement.”
Earlier this week, Maduro ordered the deployment of 4.5 million militia members across Venezuela, following Washington’s decision to double to 50 million dollars the reward for information leading to his capture.
The US accuses Venezuela’s leader of violating its national security.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that the US is ready to “use all its power” to stop the flow of drugs into the country, which could include deploying warships and troops to the Caribbean near Venezuela. EFE
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