Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the deployment of 25,000 troops from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces to secure the Caribbean coast and the border with Colombia, emphasizing the need to safeguard national sovereignty amid escalating U.S. provocations.

The mobilization, concentrated near key oil refineries and frontier regions, reflects Caracas’ determination to defend its territory and ensure peace for its citizens.

“These 25,000 brave men and women of our glorious armed forces are deployed to defend our homeland, secure our borders, and preserve the peace that our people deserve,” President Maduro said in a social media address on Sunday night.

The announcement comes in the context of rising tensions with the United States. Last week, U.S. forces destroyed a civilian vessel carrying 11 passengers in international waters, claiming—without evidence—that it was linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua crime syndicate. All aboard were killed, a move Venezuelan authorities condemned as reckless and a violation of international law.

Additionally, President Donald Trump has threatened to shoot down Venezuelan military aircraft, alleging risks to U.S. Navy vessels in nearby waters. These actions follow the largest U.S. naval buildup in the Caribbean in decades, which Venezuela has denounced as a pretext for undermining its sovereignty.

On Monday, Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement labeling the U.S. maneuvers as “imperialist provocations” and called for international solidarity against Washington’s campaign to destabilize the region. The statement highlighted the country’s military preparedness, noting that Venezuela maintains approximately 123,000 active personnel and a 220,000-strong civilian militia ready to defend the nation.

Tensions come amid ongoing U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressures targeting the Maduro government. Venezuelan intelligence recently reported intercepting communications suggesting U.S.-backed operatives planned to disrupt oil production in the Orinoco Belt, heightening fears of foreign interference in the country’s vital energy sector.

President Maduro reiterated his commitment to peace but warned against yielding to intimidation. “Our people stand united, and our forces are ready to protect every inch of our sacred territory,” he stated, urging citizens to remain vigilant. The government has also appealed to the United Nations and regional allies, including Cuba and Bolivia, to denounce the U.S.’s aggressive posture and uphold Venezuela’s right to self-determination. (ILKHA)