Venezuela launches coastal defence exercises, citing US military expansion and CIA operations as threats to national stability.
CARACAS: Venezuela has launched military exercises to protect its coastline from potential covert operations by the United States.
Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino announced the drills on Saturday amid escalating regional tensions.
The exercises began 72 hours ago as a coastal defence operation, Padrino stated.
“We are conducting an exercise that began 72 hours ago, a coastal defence exercise… to protect ourselves not only from large-scale military threats but also to protect ourselves from drug trafficking, terrorist threats and covert operations that aim to destabilise the country internally,” Padrino said.
The announcement follows the Pentagon’s deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
US forces have bombed 10 alleged drug boats since September 2, with eight attacks occurring in the Caribbean.
These operations have resulted in at least 43 fatalities according to reports.
US President Donald Trump has authorised CIA operations in Venezuela and is considering ground attacks against alleged drug cartels.
Trump accuses Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug cartel, which Maduro denies.
Venezuelan state television showed military personnel deployed across nine coastal states.
Footage included a member of Maduro’s civilian militia carrying a Russian Igla-S anti-aircraft missile.
“CIA is present not only in Venezuela but everywhere in the world,” Padrino said Friday.
“They may deploy countless CIA-affiliated units in covert operations from any part of the nation, but any attempt will fail.”
Washington has deployed eight Navy ships, 10 F-35 warplanes and a nuclear-powered submarine for anti-drug operations since August.
Caracas maintains these maneuvers mask a plan to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford will join the regional fleet, while the USS Gravely travels to Trinidad and Tobago for joint exercises. – AFP
