Venezuela offers military training amid Trump threats

AFP :

Venezuela on Saturday organised a day of military training for civilians in response to the US deployment in the Caribbean, and amid new threats from President Donald Trump.

Nearly a month ago, Washington deployed warships to international waters off Venezuela’s coast, backed by F-35 fighters sent to Puerto Rico in what it calls an anti-drug and anti-terrorism operation.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has accused Washington of waging “undeclared war” in the Caribbean, after US strikes killed over a dozen alleged drug traffickers off his country’s coast.

Caracas also accused the United States of seeking regime change and stealing its oil and other resources.

In the crammed Petareneighbourhood of Caracas, the main avenue was shut down for a day of mini-courses about weapons handling and other “revolutionary resistance” tactics.

“I’m here to learn what I need to learn to defend what is really important to me: my country, my homeland, my nation, Venezuela,” said LuzbiMonterola, a 38-year-old office worker. “I am afraid of nothing and no one.”

Venezuelan President Nicolas Madurowho stands accused by Washington of running a drug cartel has long sought to mobilise civilians in the escalating standoff.