Maduro Flaunts Russian Missiles Against Trump’s Military Threats

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro says his country is ready to defend itself with “no less than 5,000” Russian-made missiles against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of possible military action inside the country.

Maduro declared that the Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles have been deployed to the “last mountain, the last town, and the last city of the territory.”

He described them as a powerful shield for Venezuela’s air defences. The short-range weapons can target drones, helicopters, and low-flying planes.

According to CNN, the U.S. has stationed about 4,500 Marines and sailors in the Caribbean to step up operations against what it calls drug-trafficking networks. It has already launched deadly strikes on boats accused of smuggling narcotics.

Trump has also admitted to authorising covert CIA operations in Venezuela and said he is considering extending the campaign to land. Despite the escalating tensions, Trump maintains that he is not pursuing “regime change.”