UPDATE: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has just confirmed that the nation possesses 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles, positioning them in “key air defense positions.” This announcement comes amid escalating tensions as U.S. President Donald Trump considers military action in Venezuela as part of a counter-drug trafficking initiative.
During a live broadcast event with military personnel on Wednesday, Maduro stated, “Any military force in the world knows the power of the Igla-S, and Venezuela has no less than 5,000 of them.” The Igla-S missiles, lightweight and portable, can effectively target small aerial threats, including drones and low-flying aircraft. Maduro emphasized their strategic deployment across Venezuela, saying they are stationed “even in the last mountain, the last town, and the last city of the territory.”
As tensions rise, the U.S. has dispatched 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean to bolster military operations against drug cartels and demonstrate its military capabilities. The U.S. has already conducted lethal strikes on vessels it accuses of trafficking narcotics. Lawmakers from both parties are raising legal concerns regarding these operations.
Just last week, Trump revealed that he authorized the CIA to engage in covert actions within Venezuela, indicating that the U.S. is contemplating expanding its military campaign beyond sea operations. “We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump stated, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
The Trump administration has been preparing for potential military intervention for months, linking Maduro to drug traffickers designated as terrorist organizations threatening U.S. security. While no direct military orders have been confirmed, the strategy centers around pressuring Maduro to resign voluntarily, with the credible threat of military action looming over him.
In response, Maduro has mobilized troops, asserting that he commands “millions” of militia members ready to defend the nation. “The people of Venezuela are clear, united, and aware,” he stated during a televised address, asserting their capability to thwart what he describes as an “open conspiracy against the peace and stability of Venezuela.”
Despite Maduro’s claims of having over 8 million reservists, experts question the accuracy of these numbers and the level of training among the militia. The Igla-S missiles, exported by Rosoboronexport, reportedly have a range of up to 6,000 meters and can engage targets at altitudes of 3,500 meters.
While Maduro’s assertions about the missile stockpile remain unverified by independent sources, they are recognized as part of Venezuela’s military capability according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has previously been photographed with these systems in Caracas.
As this situation develops, all eyes remain on both Caracas and Washington. The implications of U.S. military action in Venezuela could have profound effects on regional stability and international relations.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation unfolds.