5,600 soldiers join the Venezuelan army, escalating tensions with the United States
In a move reflecting escalating geopolitical tensions in Latin America, the Venezuelan military officially announced on Saturday the addition of 5,600 new soldiers to its ranks during a large military ceremony held in the capital, Caracas. This military buildup comes as a direct response to what the Venezuelan government describes as increasing "American threats" in the Caribbean region.
General mobilization and confronting "imperialism"
The graduation and induction ceremony took place at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, where President Nicolás Maduro called for increased recruitment and a unified home front against what he termed "imperialism." The Venezuelan leadership views with concern the ongoing US naval buildup, which began last August and has included the deployment of advanced warships and aircraft carriers to waters near the Venezuelan coast.
In remarks reflecting the new forces' combat doctrine, Colonel Gabriel Alejandro Rendon Vilches stated, "We will under no circumstances allow an invasion by an imperialist power," emphasizing the forces' readiness to defend national sovereignty. For his part, General Javier José Marcano Tabata noted a significant increase in recruitment to the armed forces, saying, "At a time when imperialism threatens our homeland and our people, thousands of young people are joining the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.".
Background to the conflict: oil and influence
This military buildup cannot be separated from the historical and economic context of the conflict between Caracas and Washington. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, making it a strategic linchpin in the global energy market. The Venezuelan government accuses the United States of exploiting various pretexts, such as combating drug trafficking or supporting democracy, to effect regime change and seize control of these vast resources.
The Venezuelan military is considered the backbone of the ruling regime, playing a pivotal role not only in defense but also in managing vital economic sectors. The Venezuelan armed forces are estimated to number around 200,000 soldiers, supported by 200,000 police officers and armed civilian militias, making any scenario for direct military confrontation complex and fraught with regional risks.
The American Novel and the War on Drugs
In contrast, the administration of US President Donald Trump justified its increased military presence in the Caribbean and the Eastern Pacific by citing the need to combat drug trafficking. Washington accuses President Maduro and senior officials in his government of leading a drug cartel, an accusation Caracas vehemently denies.
Field reports indicate that US operations in the region have recently taken on an offensive character, with US forces destroying more than 20 boats suspected of being used for smuggling since last September, in operations that resulted in the deaths of 87 people, increasing the likelihood of a direct military clash that could ignite a wider confrontation in the region.
