Venezuela Recruits 5,600 New Soldiers Amid Tensions With US
JAKARTA - Venezuela announced the recruitment of 5,600 new troops into the Bolivarian National Armed Forces amid rising tensions with the US.
As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, December 8, the recruitment was carried out because of the "an increase in the threat of imperialists," according to local media reports citing a government statement, which refers to the threat of the US and the deployment of naval fleets in the Caribbean.
The US recently expanded military operations across Latin America, deploying marine, warships, fighter jets, bombers, submarines and drones.
The statement stressed that the new army had taken a pledge of allegiance to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and described the armed forces as the backbone of Venezuela's "stability, peace, security and future".
Major General Javier Jose Marcano Tabata told state television the VTV application to enter the military had increased.
"Currently, while imperialism is threatening our country illegally, arbitrarily, full of lies, and with our people, especially young people, flocking to join the Bolivarian National Armed Forces," Marcano said.
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Official data shows Venezuela has about 200 thousand soldiers, 200 thousand police, and millions of reserve militia members.
The US launched 22 attacks on the region on ships suspected of transporting narcotics since September, killing 87 people.
US President Donald Trump warned he would soon start targeting Venezuela's drug trafficking network "by land."