On September 17, Venezuela launched large-scale military exercises in the Caribbean to strengthen its defense capabilities and protect its sovereignty against the US’s aggressive and criminal military actions.
The drills are reported to be in response to US military attacks against Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that the exercises, conducted over three days near La Orchila Island, approximately 180 km off the Venezuelan coast, involved over 2,500 personnel. He emphasized that an air defense system utilizing armed drones, surveillance drones, and submersible drones would be deployed, and electronic warfare operations would also be conducted.
He added that 12 naval vessels, 22 aircraft, and 20 small boats belonging to the Special Naval Militia, which includes reservists and employees of state-owned enterprises, are also participating.
The US illegally sank a Venezuelan vessel in the Caribbean Sea on the 2nd, killing 11 people, and bombed another ship on the 15th, massacring 3 people. In response, Venezuelan President Maduro condemned this as a full-scale invasion.
Venezuela had previously announced plans to deploy 4.5 million militia members nationwide.
