In brief
In response to a series of US naval strikes that killed 17 people, the Venezuelan government is mobilizing civilian militias, primarily composed of older citizens, to prepare for potential conflict. President Nicolás Maduro's administration labels the US actions as a 'non-declared war', prompting increased military drills and training for local militias across the country. The move reflects the deteriorating relations between the two nations, with calls for citizens to protect their homeland intensifying amidst fears of US aggression.
When Edith Perales was younger, he enlisted in the National Bolivarian Militia, a civilian force created by the late President Hugo Chávez in 2009 to help defend Venezuela.
We have to be a country capable of defending every last inch of our territory so no one comes to mess with us, Chávez said at the time.
Sixteen years on, Perales, who is now 68, is joining thousands of other militia members getting ready for a potential US attack.
The rag-tag force, mainly made up of senior citizens, has been called up following the deployment of US navy ships in the South Caribbean on what US officials said were counter-narcotics operations.
The US force has destroyed at least three boats it said were carrying drugs from Venezuela to the US, killing at least 17 people on board.
Venezuela's defence minister, Vladimir Padrino, said the attacks and the US naval deployment amounted to a non-declared war by the US against Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro swiftly called the militia into active duty.
Perales has got his uniform and boots at hand, ready to defend his bastion – the Caracas neighbourhood where he lives.
A loyal government supporter, he says he is ready to serve whenever they call me. He has taken part in previous training exercises, but due to his age and health, he has opted out of the more recent ones.
However, if a conflict were to occur, he stated, we must defend the territory. To wear the uniform already implies a responsibility.
Maduro's government, perceiving a US threat, is intensifying the training of these local militia groups, primarily made up of older volunteers from poor communities, although some public sector workers report pressure to join.
Political analysts suggest that the Venezuelan militia deployment is more about psychological warfare than actual military engagement, aimed at increasing the human cost of any potential US military intervention.
