Vladimir Padrino López, the Minister of Defense of Venezuela, has announced a 'special reinforcement' of the military presence in five states nationwide, amid a U.S. anti-drug operation in the Caribbean. According to Padrino, this mobilization seeks to strengthen surveillance in states such as Zulia and Falcón, areas identified as key routes for drug trafficking. The minister detailed that "means and forces" will be deployed to strategic regions, including La Guajira and the Paraguaná Peninsula, as well as Nueva Esparta, Sucre, and Delta Amacuro, emphasizing that the defense of the territory must be a Venezuelan responsibility.
This increase in military forces occurs in a context of rising tension between Caracas and Washington, which has deployed resources in waters near the South American nation under the premise of combating drug trafficking. The Venezuelan authorities have denounced these movements as a threat to their sovereignty. The situation is aggravated by the $50 million reward offered by the United States for information about President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of violating narcotics laws. Maduro urged the United States to desist from its attempts at regime change and to respect the sovereignty of Venezuela and the region.
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