Venezuela prepares massive deployment' of forces in case of US attack

"The Venezuelan government has said it is preparing its armed forces in the event of an invasion or military attack by the United States. A statement shared by Minister of People's Power for Defence Vladimir Padrino on Tuesday said that the preparations include the massive deployment of ground, aerial, naval, riverine and missile forces, as well as the participation of police, militias and citizens' units."

"On Tuesday, the Pentagon confirmed that the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group which includes the world's largest aircraft carrier had arrived in the Caribbean Sea, bearing at least 4,000 sailors as well as tactical aircraft. In recent weeks, the US government has also surged troops to areas near the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago, for training exercises and other operations."

"The Trump administration has framed such deployments as necessary to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. Trump officials have also accused Maduro of masterminding the activities of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang with a relatively modest presence in the US. But Maduro and his allies have accused the US of imperialistic aims. Questions remain, however, about whether Venezuela is equipped to fend off any US military advances."

Venezuela announced preparations to ready its armed forces against a potential US invasion or military attack, including deployment of ground, aerial, naval, riverine and missile forces alongside police, militias and citizen units. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Caribbean with at least 4,000 sailors and tactical aircraft. The US has surged troops to Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago for training and operations, framed as counter-narcotics and homeland protection. US officials allege links between Maduro and Tren de Aragua; Maduro accuses the US of imperialism. Experts question Venezuela's capacity given personnel and equipment limits, with tensions rising since January.

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