Venezuela to deploy military to 100s of 'battlefront' locations amid US tensions
Iran Press TV
Friday, 12 September 2025 4:51 PM
President Nicolas Maduro has announced Venezuela's readiness to deploy military troops at the battlefronts for war amid escalated tensions with the United States.
"We're ready for an armed fight, if it's necessary," Maduro said from Ciudad Caribia, on the country's central coast, in an early morning broadcast on Thursday on state television.
Maduro, who was flanked by his defense minister, announced the deployment of military and militias to 284 "battlefront" locations.
"Along all the Venezuelan coasts, from the border with Colombia to the east of the country, from north to south and east to west, we have a full preparation of official troops," Maduro said.
"We are only defending Venezuela's right to peace; no one can come to disturb either independence or territorial integrity, or sovereignty, or the right to peace of our peoples. Because these people have those who defend it, it has the Bolivarian National Armed Forces to defend it, it has the Bolivarian National Militia to defend it."
The escalation of tensions with the US follows a deadly US strike last week on a vessel, which Trump claimed was smuggling drugs for the Tren de Aragua gang, resulting in 11 fatalities.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello dismissed the US claims, stating that none of the deceased were drug traffickers or gang members, and condemned the incident as "murder".
Caracas says Washington is scheming to topple Maduro's leftist government from power.
Washington does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president and has offered a $50 million reward for his arrest, accusing him of being a major drug trafficker with links to criminal groups.
Maduro has rejected the US claims against him and his government says Venezuela is not a drug producer.
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