Venezuelans Urged to Join Militia as Trump Hints at Strike

President Nicolás Maduro is urging Venezuelans to strengthen the country’s civilian militia as tensions with the United States escalate.

The force, made up largely of civilians, has traditionally been used to boost numbers at rallies and parades but is now being positioned as a defence against foreign threats.

“We are enrolling in the Bolivian Militia to prevent any empire from setting foot in this homeland of liberators again,” one citizen said.

Another added, “We reject any threat coming from the empire; we don’t agree to any of those threats that are coercing us in trying to subdue the nation. We are a sovereign, firm, and patriotic people, and we will always be free and independent.”

Maduro’s appeal follows recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who refused to rule out military action against Venezuela. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, when asked about the possibility of a strike.

Trump continues his position that Venezuela is sending “gang members, drug dealers and drugs” to the United States.

According to BBC News, when asked if he feared escalation from Maduro, Trump replied, “What’s illegal are the drugs on the boat, and the drugs that are being sent into our country, and the fact that 300 million people died last year from drugs.”

Earlier this month, U.S. forces reported destroying a Venezuelan drug boat in the southern Caribbean, leaving nearly a dozen suspected Tren de Aragua traffickers dead. Venezuela has accused U.S. forces of also boarding a tuna boat with nine fishermen in its waters.