During the Operation Independencia 200 exercises in La Guaira, the Vice President of the Defense and Sovereignty Sector and Minister of People’s Power for Defense, General Vladimir Padrino López, called on the people to maintain a state of active readiness. The alert responds to the presence of a US military mission in the Caribbean Sea, near Venezuelan waters:
«As a military leader, I must always assume the worst-case scenario,» declared the minister, emphasizing that his stance is not intended to alarm, but rather to warn. He criticized the «irrationality» of US imperialism, describing it as anti-political, anti-human, and warmongering.
The senior official reiterated that the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) maintain a high level of cohesion and the Venezuelan people a high level of awareness. He emphasized that «anything can be expected from the world hegemon,» arguing the need for preparation so that things will flow much more smoothly if they are coordinated in times of peace.
Minister Padrino López explained that a possible aggression could materialize in airstrikes, naval blockades, special forces incursions, drone attacks, no-fly zones, targeted assassinations, and sabotage of the electricity, gas, and food supply systems.
Finally, he emphasized that the FANB, the National Risk Management System, and law enforcement agencies are on alert. He described the US military deployment as «a serious threat,» supported by a significant presence of ships, aircraft, and drones in the region.