Venezuela Inducts 5,600 Troops as Friction Escalates with U.S.
The military expansion responds to "increasing imperialist threats," local media outlets indicated, referencing a government statement that highlighted US provocations and Caribbean naval deployments.
Washington has broadened its military footprint throughout Latin America in recent months, positioning Marines, naval vessels, combat aircraft, strategic bombers, submarine forces and unmanned aerial systems across the region.
The official announcement stressed that newly inducted personnel pledged allegiance to President Nicolas Maduro and characterized the military as the foundation of Venezuela's "stability, peace, security and future."
Major General Javier Jose Marcano Tabata informed state broadcaster VTV that enlistment numbers have surged dramatically.
"Right now, while imperialism threatens our country illegally, arbitrarily, full of lies and insolently, our people, especially young people, are coming by the thousands to join the National Bolivarian Armed Forces," Marcano said.
Government statistics indicate Venezuela maintains roughly 200,000 active-duty military personnel, 200,000 law enforcement officers and several million reserve militia forces.
The US has executed no fewer than 22 operations throughout the region targeting vessels allegedly carrying narcotics since September, resulting in at least 87 fatalities.
US President Donald Trump issued a warning that he would imminently commence operations against Venezuelan drug smuggling organizations "by land."
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