US-Venezuela confrontation: President Maduro tells citizens to take up arms

The situation between the US and Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea has become extremely tense. Venezuela has called the deployment of US warships and fighter jets an “undeclared war.” President Nicolas Maduro held a military training camp for citizens on Saturday, urging them to be prepared to defend the country. Meanwhile, Maduro’s official YouTube account was suddenly shut down, further deepening the controversy.

Military Training and Crowds Gathered in the Streets
Thousands of citizens were trained in weapons by blocking a main road in the Petare area of ​​the capital, Caracas. Soldiers trained citizens in small groups on weapons use, mask wearing, and first aid. Maduro also held public rallies in rural areas, urging the public to be “ready to take up arms” if the US attacks.

Similar training sessions were held in other cities, including San Cristobal and Barinas. However, according to reports, the crowds at these events were smaller than expected. Only 25 armored vehicles were paraded in Caracas.

US Deployment and Trump’s Threat
About a month ago, the US deployed eight warships and a nuclear submarine in international waters off the Venezuelan coast. Additionally, 2,000 Marines and F-35 fighter jets were sent to Puerto Rico. The US claims this is an “anti-drug operation.” The White House said the US fleet has so far destroyed three speedboats, killing a dozen alleged drug traffickers.

Donald Trump warned that Venezuela would face serious consequences if it refused to take back illegal immigrants living in the US. This week, a US plane arrived in Caracas carrying 185 Venezuelan citizens. A total of 13,000 migrants have been deported from the US since January.

Venezuela’s Defense Minister accused the US of waging an “undeclared war.” The US deployed eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets in the Caribbean Sea. President Maduro launched military training camps for civilians. Thousands of citizens were trained in weapons in the Petare area of ​​Caracas. Maduro urged the public to prepare millions to take up arms if the US attacked. The US fleet has so far destroyed three speedboats and killed a dozen alleged drug traffickers.

Allegations of a Battle for Oil and Resources
Venezuela alleges that the US wants to seize its oil, gold, and diamonds. John Noriega, a 16-year-old attending the training camp, said, “It’s all about our oil and gold. We will fight for our rights.” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said, “Today we are writing a true military revolution. The people and the army will defend the country together.”

International Pressure on Maduro
The US has long accused Maduro of drug trafficking. In 2020, a New York court charged him with conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the US. Recently, the reward for his arrest was increased to $50 million. The US and the opposition allege that Maduro won the 2024 election through fraud, while most of the international community has declared it illegitimate.

YouTube Account Deleted
Meanwhile, Maduro’s official YouTube account suddenly went offline. This account was the main medium for his speeches and weekly programs, and had over 200,000 followers. Venezuela’s state-run channel, Telesur, alleged that the account was removed “without reason.” Google has not commented on the matter.