Venezuelan Communities Enlist in Militia Amid U.S. Naval Threats
Venezuelan communities mobilized on August 29, 2025, to enlist in the Bolivarian Militia and express support for President Nicolás Maduro, citing U.S. naval movements in the Caribbean as threats to national sovereignty, reports 24brussels.
Grassroots mobilizations unfolded across Venezuela, with government supporters rallying in Caracas and other regions. Participants condemned what they perceived as intimidation tactics from Washington and pledged to reinforce local defense structures as part of the government’s “Plan for Sovereignty and Peace.”
Yusete Brito, a 51-year-old member of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), criticized U.S. actions as systematic psychological threats, stating, “They have their ships in the sea, intimidating, doing what they always do. Here we will continue building, we will continue organizing, we will enlist and be prepared.”
Local groups organized “micro marches” to show solidarity with Maduro and encourage recruitment into the militia. Officials confirmed that 945 enlistment points were operational nationwide, remaining open through Saturday.
Eglée López, a teacher who joined the militia, emphasized the mobilization’s purpose as a defense exercise: “The purpose of today’s march is to demonstrate that there is unity among the people, that we are firm, present and consistent in the defense of our homeland.” She noted that this initiative also aimed to maintain peace.
In addition to the civilian mobilization, Venezuelan authorities announced further military deployments. The government indicated that larger naval vessels would patrol territorial waters to combat drug trafficking, while 15,000 troops were positioned in the border states of Zulia and Táchira to bolster security.
Earlier in the week, Venezuela’s mission to the United Nations alerted that the United States was planning to dispatch “a missile-launching cruiser” and “a fast-attack nuclear submarine” to the country’s coast. In response, Maduro urged UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene and call on Washington to cease what he labeled as hostile actions.