Maduro vows ‘to arm civil militia to the teeth’
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro has vowed to arm a civil militia group in the country “to the teeth,” as their number, according to the Venezuelan president, grows to 1.6 million, more than triple in size since the beginning of the year.
“We will arm the Bolivarian militia to the teeth,” Maduro told the militia members during a speech broadcast on Monday, without detailing how many of the forces were armed. “An invading imperialist force may enter a part of our fatherland, but the imperialists should know that they will not leave here alive.”
The so-called National Bolivarian Militia functions as a reserve force composed of civilian volunteers, which was founded by former president Hugo Chavez in 2008 to assist the Latin American country’s armed forces.
Maduro said in his address that he had given an order in April to boost the size of the reserve force to one million members. At the time, he said the militia had “nearly 400,000” members.
Maduro’s speech to militia members came less than a week after the socialist leader accused the United States of plotting to invade his country.
US President Donald Trump has formerly asked his aides whether a military invasion of Venezuela is possible. He has also talked of a “military option” to remove Maduro from power. But there is no clear indication that the US is preparing to invade Venezuela.
Washington has targeted Caracas with harsh economic and political sanctions since 2014 under the pretext of alleged human rights abuses and threats to US national security.
Last year, Venezuela plunged into political unrest amid opposition protests, which left at least 125 dead from both the government and opposition camps.
In August, Maduro survived an assassination attempt during a military parade in Caracas. He was unharmed while seven Venezuelan soldiers sustained injuries in the incident.
The Venezuelan president accused the US and Colombia of having had a role in the attack.
US sanctions on Venezuelan oil ‘violation of human rights’: Iran
Venezuela slams US over reimposition of 'criminal' oil sanctions
Venezuela blames Israel, UN’s inaction for worsening instability in West Asia
The struggles of Occupied Palestine
Ayatollah Khamenei exalts great Persian poet on Saadi Day
Iran’s Civil Defense examines country’s preparation for potential threats
FBI chief: Chinese hackers targeting critical US infrastructure
New York Times leaked memo on Gaza coverage reveals obfuscation of facts
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Barbados officially announces recognition of Palestine as state
US Senate reauthorizes surveillance bill despite privacy concerns
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
