Venezuela has initiated a military buildup, deploying troops and gathering weapons in reaction to the Trump administration’s decision to position U.S. warships in the Caribbean.
This initiative, dubbed “prolonged resistance” by the Venezuelan government, involves small military units stationed at over 280 sites. These units are reportedly engaging in sabotage and guerrilla warfare tactics, as per sources and planning documents dating back several years that were reviewed by Reuters.
A representative from the U.S. War Department told Fox News, “We don’t discuss intelligence matters.”
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela has accused the Trump administration of attempting to remove him from power. He has vowed that Venezuelans will stand firm against any American hostility.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier has reached the U.S. Southern Command area, coinciding with President Trump intensifying his anti-drug campaign. This development has prompted Venezuela to activate its military forces. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Alyssa Joy/Navy)
Concurrently, the administration has launched a series of aggressive strikes aimed at suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean, in a bid to stem the tide of illegal drugs entering the U.S. President Trump has hinted at potential ground operations in Venezuela, remarking, “the land is going to be next.”
On Tuesday, the U.S. Navy said the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group had entered the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of responsibility as part of an American presence to support the growing naval buildup in the region.
“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell. “These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.”
The Trump administration ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to head to U.S. Southern Command, prompting Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro to accuse Trump of “fabricating a new eternal war.” (Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images; Getty Images)
Aside from the significant resource disparities between the U.S. and Venezuelan militaries, some Venezuelan unit commanders have even been forced to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies fall short, Reuters reported.
Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s Vice President Tareck El Aissami and Cilia Flores take part in a military exercise at Fuerte Tiuna military base in Caracas on Feb. 24, 2018. (Reuters)
Part of Venezuela’s defense strategy includes a guerrilla-style response, according to reports.
“We wouldn’t last two hours in a conventional war,” a source close to the government told the news outlet.
Russia’s foreign ministry said last week it was prepared to respond to Venezuela’s requests for assistance, while urging against an escalation in tensions.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
