Threatened by the US fleet in the Caribbean, Venezuela increases the number of soldiers. “We will not allow the invasion of an imperialist force”
Venezuelan soldiers Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
The Venezuelan army incorporated, on Saturday, 5,600 young people in Caracas, a response to the deployment by the United States of an important naval force, including the largest aircraft carrier in the world, informs France Presse.
In response to the US military maneuvers, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro called for the strengthening of the armed forces by enlisting volunteers.
“In no case will we allow the invasion of an imperialist force,” said Colonel Gabriel Alejandro Rendón Vílchez on Saturday.
The number of volunteers for the armed forces is growing strongly, assured General Javier José Marcano Tábata.
“At the moment when imperialism threatens (…) our homeland, our people, the youth, there are thousands who want to join the Bolivarian National Armed Forces,” said Tabata, during the ceremony held at Fuerte Tiuna, the largest military complex in Venezuela.
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According to official figures, the Venezuelan army numbers about 200,000 soldiers, to which are added 200,000 policemen.
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalated after Washington launched a series of strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels, killing 87 people, mostly in the Caribbean Sea, without providing evidence of drug-trafficking links.
An enemy of the United States for a quarter of a century, Venezuela is accused by US President Donald Trump of being behind drug trafficking into the United States. Caracas denies it and claims that the real goal of the US is regime change for access to Venezuelan oil.
