Venezuela swore in 5,600 new troops yesterday at Caracas’ Fuerte Tiuna military complex, responding to heightened US naval activity in the Caribbean. The move comes as Washington deploys warships – including its largest aircraft carrier – under anti-drug operations that Caracas calls a thinly veiled power play. 💥
President Nicolás Maduro accused the US of plotting to seize Venezuela’s oil reserves, vowing: "Under no circumstances will we allow an imperialist invasion." Colonel Gabriel Alejandro Rendón Vilchez echoed the defiance during the swearing-in ceremony, signaling readiness to defend the nation’s sovereignty. 🛢️🛡️
The US recently labeled Maduro’s alleged "Cartel of the Suns" as a terrorist group, justifying strikes on 22 vessels this year that killed 83 people. Venezuela now boasts 200,000 active troops and 200,000 police officers – a show of force amid escalating rhetoric. 📈
Global allies are weighing in: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed "deep concern" over US maneuvers during a Saturday call with Maduro, urging dialogue to ease tensions. 🌐🤝
With both sides digging in, the Caribbean has become a geopolitical chessboard. Will diplomacy prevail, or is this a prelude to deeper conflict? Stay tuned. ⚖️🔍
