Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the Venezuelan air defense system ‘detected more than five vectors’, which he defined as ‘combat planes’
He denounced on Thursday that five American fighters “dared to approach” the back of the Caribbean country, amid the crisis for the military unfolding that Washington carried out for operations against drug trafficking. Speaking on state television, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the Venezuelan air defense system “detected more than five vectors,” which he defined as “combat planes.”
They mobilized them almost a month ago 10 F-35 aircraft for, as part of these maneuvers, which also include the mobilization of eight war ships.
The president qualified this mobilization as a siege and threat. “American imperialism dared to approach the Venezuelan back,” said Padrino. “We are seeing them. It does not intimidate the presence of these vectors,” he added. “I denounce before the world this situation that is still a provocation, but also a threat to our national security,” he said.
The minister did not detail the location of the American fighters, but indicated that commercial airline pilots spotted them. Four speeds of alleged drug traffickers have been destroyed by American attacks in recent weeks.
Caracas believes that the president of the United States is using the false pretext for breaking down Maduro and seizing the largest oil reserves in the world.
‘Defend our sovereignty’
Maduro responded with the mobilization of militias and military exercises, such as September 20 in La Orchila, in the north of the country. He mobilized war ships, helicopters, hunting and transport planes and 2,500 staff amphibians. It also performed emergency simulations and training hours for those enlisted in the Bolivarian militia, a military body composed of civilians.
The agent also stated that he has been ready a decree to declare an external state of commotion, an exceptional measure for armed conflicts that expands his powers. Its reach is unclear. It was never applied before and could lead to the suspension of certain constitutional guarantees.
Maduro also advanced by decree the beginning of Christmas to October 1st to defend “the right to happiness”. He did the same in 2024 after post-election protests that left 28 dead and 2,400 detainees.
The government decorated public buildings with lights and celebrated the start of the season with fireworks, as at the headquarters of the intelligence service, the feared helical, where there are “political prisoners.”
Padrino presented a balance of operations against drug trafficking and announced until the destruction of camps belonging to the Colombian guerrillas of the Eln and FARC dissent. “We are willing to defend our sovereignty, our geographical space, in the face of any intruder,” said the minister. “Those who are operating there, drug traffickers, leave the Venezuelan territory, go delinquire elsewhere,” he insisted.
*With information from AFP
Posted by Nátaly Tenório
