Why it matters:
The drills underline Caracas’ efforts to project sovereignty over its territories while signaling defiance against the U.S. pressures and threats.
The big picture:
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has frequently ordered military maneuvers in response to U.S. threats of aggression. La Orchila, a strategic island about 200 kilometers northeast of Caracas, has been central to these demonstrations of strength.
What he’s saying:
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López: “Today our commander-in-chief has ordered us to an exercise, a campaign maneuver. It is called ‘Caribe Soberano 200 ' (Caribbean Sovereign 200) and it is going to be carried out on La Orchila Island.”
He said the three-day drills aim to reinforce Venezuela’s sovereignty over its island territory.
Details of exercise:
- Sukhoi fighter jets in formation flights
- Naval vessels conducting maneuvers
- Amphibious tanks landing on beaches
- Ground troops securing coastal positions
- Operations coordinated from Caracas’ Military and Defense Operations Center
Go deeper:
Venezuelan Defense Minister to U.S. Troops: 'Don’t Play The Fool'
Hossein Vaez - seyed mohammad kazemi
