This Saturday, December 6, the Venezuelan army swore in 5,600 new soldiers at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, marking a significant expansion of its ranks amid a growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean.
President Nicolas Maduro has called for expanded recruitment after the United States sent a fleet of warships, including the worldâs largest aircraft carrier, to the region under the pretext of combating drug trafficking. American forces have carried out strikes on at least 22 vessels, resulting in 83 fatalities.
Last month, Washington accused Maduro of leading the alleged Cartel of the Suns and officially designated it a terrorist organization. Maduro, however, insists the deployment is part of a plan to overthrow his government and seize Venezuelaâs oil reserves.
Under no circumstances will we allow an invasion by an imperialist force, said Colonel Gabriel Alejandro Rendon Vilchez during the ceremony.
Official figures show Venezuela maintains around 200,000 troops and an additional 200,000 police officers, underlining the scale of its security apparatus as the shadow of external pressure looms.
Also on Saturday, Maduro spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the naval buildup and broader geopolitical concerns. According to Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, Erdogan expressed deep concern over the threats facing Venezuela and actions intended to disrupt peace and security in the Caribbean.
Erdogan, writing on X, emphasized the need for dialogue between Washington and Caracas and expressed hope that tensions would ease soon.
As both sides navigate a delicate balance between force and diplomacy, the Caribbean has become a focal point for discussions on sovereignty, security, and the future of regional cooperation.
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Venezuela swears in 5,600 new troops amid U.S. military build-up
cgtn.com
