On October 13, US Secretary of Defense (Secretary of War) Peter Hegseth announced “Operation Southern Spear,” expanding the scope of the “campaign against drug trafficking” to encompass the entire Western Hemisphere, including North and South America. Meanwhile, Venezuela reportedly initiated mobilization training involving approximately 200,000 troops in preparation for a potential US airstrike, and Russia indicated its support for Venezuela.
It is estimated that Venezuela began its largest military training in 20 years on the 13th, mobilizing about 200,000 personnel nationwide. A foreign media outlet explained that this would signal a transition from sporadic unit-level training to a fully integrated combat readiness state.
Additionally, Venezuela unveiled the latest Russian-supported air defense weapon systems via video, including ZU-23-2 and TOR-M2E mobile surface-to-air missile systems. Over the past five years, Venezuela has acquired various Russian air defense weapons to strengthen national airspace security and deter foreign military intervention.
Earlier, under the “Independence 200 Plan” to counter US threats, Venezuela activated the Integrated Defense Command nationwide on the 12th, following President Maduro’s promulgation of the National Integrated Defense Command Law on the 11th. The “Independence 200 Plan” mobilizes 200,000 troops, along with air and naval resources, for the defense and reinforcement of strategic government facilities and borders, and is conducting the first-ever nationwide military-civilian integrated drill.
Meanwhile, on the 14th, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated at a press conference that Russia is closely monitoring the deterioration of the situation in the Caribbean, which was declared a Zone of Peace in 2014, and protetsted the US’s blatant interference in Latin American internal affairs.
Zakharova firmly opposed the US’s misapplication of the “War on Drugs” as a tool of pressure against sovereign states and the use of force against Venezuela, pointing out that this directly contradicts the US’s international legal obligations under the 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
She urged the US to readjust the scope of the “War on Drugs” to focus domestically, including identifying those responsible for drug trafficking within its own elite and controlling drug use within its society. She questioned why there are so many people openly consuming drugs on the streets of US cities.
Additionally, Russia traditionally advocates for the stable development of Latin American and Caribbean countries and the resolution of all differences through peaceful and civilized means. She declared, “We currently maintain close and continuous contact with Venezuela and are willing to respond appropriately to Venezuela’s requests, considering both current and potential threats.”
