Venezuela mobilizes 200,000 troops as US carrier nears

Venezuela has ordered a widespread military deployment of nearly 200,000 troops in response to the United States' naval advancements in the Caribbean, highlighting rising geopolitical friction. The defense ministry characterized the exercise as a protective measure against potential US aggression, coinciding with the entry of the USS Gerald R. Ford supercarrier into the region.

Military Mobilization Details

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced the mobilization on national television, stating that the forces are conducting drills across Venezuela beyond standard duties. He emphasized that the operation aims to safeguard sovereignty, describing it as a necessary reaction to the US military's intensified presence in nearby waters.

Legislative Measures

Venezuela's National Assembly ratified a new defense law to reinforce the country's strategic posture against external pressures. Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez outlined that the legislation streamlines troop movements and enhances coordination between the military and civilian populations, creating a unified front amid the escalating standoff.

US Justifications and Denials

The US Navy confirmed the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Caribbean, asserting that it focuses on counter-narcotics operations involving numerous vessel interceptions. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro refuted these claims, alleging that the US is engineering a conflict to undermine his government and pursue interventionist goals.