Background on Key Figures and Context
Nicolás Maduro, the current President of Venezuela since 2013, has been at odds with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration. The tension escalated when the U.S. deployed eight warships in the Caribbean, citing a mission to combat drug trafficking. The U.S. claimed to have destroyed three suspected drug-carrying vessels near Venezuela, resulting in 14 deaths.
Venezuela’s Preemptive Military Training
In response to these perceived threats, Maduro ordered military personnel to train civilians in various neighborhoods across Venezuela, particularly in Caracas. The training focused on the use of weapons and the “Método Táctico de Resistencia Revolucionaria” (MTRR), emphasizing camouflage, survival skills, and ideological thinking.
- The military training aimed to prepare civilians for potential U.S. aggression.
- The initiative was announced after Maduro called for thousands of volunteers to receive military instruction at local barracks.
- Despite the call, only a small number of civilians participated in the training sessions.
Maduro’s Rallying Cry for Resistance
During a meeting with rural workers in Aragua, Maduro urged “millions” of farmers to be ready to take up arms and defend Venezuela against a U.S. attack.
“If Venezuela is attacked, as Che Guevara once said: 1, 2, 3 Vietnam. And I believe that would be 1, 2, 3 Boyacá, Ayacucho, Junín and Carabobo,” Maduro stated.
U.S. Threats Against Venezuela
Simultaneously, Trump issued a warning to Venezuela, stating that there would be “incalculable” consequences if the country refused to accept deported migrants.
“We want Venezuela to immediately accept all prisoners and individuals from mental institutions… forced to enter the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The U.S. and Venezuela severed diplomatic relations in 2019, but repatriation of migrants remains one of the few communication channels between the two nations.
- Since January, over 13,000 Venezuelans have been repatriated from the U.S. and Mexico, according to the Venezuelan government.
- Washington accuses Maduro of drug trafficking ties and offers a $50 million bounty for his capture, which Caracas denies.
- In response to these allegations, Maduro ordered a military buildup along the borders and conducted military exercises.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is Nicolás Maduro? A: The current President of Venezuela since 2013.
- Q: What prompted the military training of civilians in Venezuela? A: The perceived threats from the United States, including the deployment of warships in the Caribbean and accusations of drug trafficking against Maduro.
- Q: What is the “Método Táctico de Resistencia Revolucionaria” (MTRR)? A: A training program focusing on camouflage, survival skills, and ideological thinking.
- Q: What are the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela? A: Disputes over drug trafficking allegations, repatriation of migrants, and diplomatic relations.
