Venezuela’s Maduro to Oversee Firearms Training for Civilians Amid Rising Tensions
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro announced Saturday that the Bolivarian Armed Forces will begin training civilians in the use of firearms starting September 20th. The unprecedented move, broadcast on state television VTV, will see military personnel and equipment deployed directly into communities and neighborhoods across the country.
Maduro stated the initiative aims to instruct those who have enlisted, as well as local residents, in firearms management. “Next Saturday,September 20,the barracks,the Bolivarian Armed Forces,will go to the people,the communities,to revise and teach everyone who enlisted,neighbors and neighbors,what is the management of firearms,” he said. He characterized the training as a defensive measure, adding, “We don’t get into anyone, but we also prepare for us to need.”
The announcement follows Maduro’s recent call for volunteers nominated by the militia – a civilian-based armed group – to undergo training in barracks two weeks prior. maduro has repeatedly accused Washington of harboring plans to invade Venezuela.
the United States does not recognize Maduro as president, a position shared by major democracies in Europe and the European union. Concurrently, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, recently deploying F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico, alongside a fleet of seven boats and a nuclear-powered submarine.
