Venezuela Launches Military Drills Amid US Tensions
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The Venezuelan military has begun three days of military exercises on the Caribbean island of La Orchila as tensions soar with the United States following recent strikes on alleged drug boats.
The drills, which include electronic warfare training, were announced by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who cited "threatening and vulgar" statements from Washington as justification for the move. The Venezuelan government has accused the US of violating its sovereignty in the region.
According to officials, special naval militia units are involved in the deployment, which is focused on defending Venezuela's territorial waters against what they describe as a growing threat from drug traffickers. The exercises come after a series of incidents this month in which US forces allegedly blew up at least two Venezuelan boats and intercepted 14 people transporting drugs across the Caribbean.
"This is not just about our sovereignty; it's also about our security," Padrino López said during a meeting with military high command officials in Caracas. "We will not tolerate any form of aggression from foreign powers."
The US has maintained that its actions were part of an anti-drug operation, but the Venezuelan government has rejected this claim as a pretext for intervention.
"This is a clear example of Washington's hypocrisy," said Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. "They're using the war on drugs to justify their own interests and undermine our sovereignty."
The tensions between Venezuela and the US have been building in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of aggression. The situation has drawn international attention, with UN experts condemning the US strikes as a violation of Venezuelan airspace.
The current crisis is set against a backdrop of long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas, which has seen its economy collapse under the weight of corruption, mismanagement, and US sanctions.
As the military drills continue on La Orchila, analysts say the situation remains volatile. "This is not just about Venezuela; it's also about the region," said Maria Rodriguez, a regional expert at the University of Miami. "The US has a history of intervening in Latin American affairs, and this could be the latest chapter."
For now, the Venezuelan military will continue to train on La Orchila, with officials warning that any further aggression from the US will be met with force.
"We are not afraid," Padrino López said. "We will defend our country at all costs."
*Reporting by Theguardian.*
