Venezuelan President Maduro Strengthens National Defense Amid Rising Tensions
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros emphasized the readiness of the Bolivarian National Militia (MNB) to respond promptly to any threats across the nation, as the government boosts its defense mechanisms in the face of both external pressures and internal destabilization attempts, reports 24brussels.
Addressing a ceremony for the integration of the militia into the Peace Quadrants system, Maduro commended the commitment of militia members to safeguard Venezuela’s peace, territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty. This integration is part of a broader strategy to enhance national security following increasing geopolitical tensions.
Highlighting Venezuela’s historical context, Maduro stated, “We have broken, as Chávez did in due time, with the military dependence on the U.S. empire and the imperial theses of occupation armies imposed in Latin America through coups and other forms of ideological, institutional, and political domination.” His remarks underline a continued stance against perceived U.S. imperialism in the region.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) announced a national enlistment process this weekend, instructing militia forces to convene at military facilities, public squares, Bolivar plazas, and the 15,751 integral defense bases throughout Venezuela. This move aims to consolidate resources and coordinate a united front among multiple sectors of the National Defensive System — including political, governmental, civilian, military, and police entities.
Maduro stressed the need for constant updates to defense plans, asserting, “We adjust our plans every day.” He reinforced the idea that the unification of popular power, military strength, and police structures is critical to overcoming what he termed “extravagant, outrageous, and criminal threats of U.S. imperialism.” Such declarations serve to rally support among the populace and consolidate internal power.
A Legacy of Resistance and Popular Defense
Recalling the militia’s roots, Maduro noted that it was refounded by Commander Hugo Chávez, representing a force embedded in the rich traditions of Venezuelan military history. He pointed out that Simón Bolívar’s first military rank was as a sub-lieutenant of the Aragua militias, framing the MNB’s contributions within the larger narrative of Venezuelan resistance against colonial and imperial forces.
Maduro asserted that integrating the MNB into the Peace Quadrants establishes a solid and permanent defensive structure to protect the nation against both immediate and future threats. “This plan is not created solely for the current aggressive threats of the empire,” he remarked, “but as a lasting pillar of the homeland.”
He further articulated the MNB’s fundamental mission to ensure the Venezuelan people’s right to peace, maintain national stability, and secure the achievements of the Bolivarian Revolution. This approach emphasizes the importance of a close relationship between the militia and the organized populace in reinforcing the nation’s defense capabilities.
