U.S. strikes kill 17 as Venezuela mobilizes civilians into militia amid Caribbean tensions

U.S. Navy strikes in the Caribbean killed 17 people aboard boats the United States says were carrying drugs from Venezuela. The strikes coincided with the deployment of U.S. naval forces in the South Caribbean on counter-narcotics missions. Venezuela's defense minister Vladimir Padrino said the attacks and the U.S. deployment amounted to a non-declared war against Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro swiftly ordered the militia into active duty.

Perales, now 68, joined the National Bolivarian Militia years ago. The militia, created by the late President Hugo Chávez in 2009 to defend the country, has drawn volunteers from across social strata, including many seniors. Perales says they joined to defend the fatherland, and notes that many members have never handled a weapon. He lives in 23 de Enero, a Caracas neighborhood that has long been a base of pro-government support, and he keeps his uniform and boots ready to go in case he is called up.

Maduro has ordered the military to train local militias to respond to potential threats. In Caracas, under a bright Saturday sun, civilians gathered in Petare as soldiers demonstrated basic drills, with tanks and Russian-made rifles on display and instruction posters lining the street. A soldier spoke through a loudspeaker as residents watched. Francisco Ojeda, 69, participated and said that if required, he would lay down his life to defend his street. Glady Rodriguez, 67, who recently joined the militia, said they would not let any U.S. government invade, while Yarelis Jaimes, 38, admitted the first handling of a weapon made her nervous but she believed she could rise to the challenge. The scene reflected how the government has used public displays of mobilization to bolster its stance amid the crisis.

The exercises come as Venezuela’s leadership emphasizes a defensive posture rather than a full-scale offensive. Benigno Alarcón, a political analyst at the Andrés Bello Catholic University, described the militia expansion as a deterrent meant to raise the political and human costs of any confrontation for the United States. Maduro has claimed that more than 8.2 million civilians are enlisted in the militia and reserves, a figure that has been widely questioned by observers and researchers.

Outside the capital’s strongholds, life has continued with a sense of normalcy, even as the militia drills unfold in public spaces. Street vendors in Petare and other neighborhoods carry on with daily routines as residents watch the demonstrations unfold. The looming possibility of a broader conflict has deepened a sense of national grievance among Maduro supporters while widening distrust of Washington among opponents of the regime.

U.S.–Venezuela tensions have long been shaped by a broader strategic contest in the region. The Trump administration designated the Tren de Aragua gang as a terrorist organization and doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million. Washington has not recognized Maduro’s 2024 re-election, citing irregularities cited by the opposition and independent observers. In the wake of the naval actions, Maduro sent a letter to the U.S. president calling for a meeting, a request that the White House has not acknowledged. The two governments have also cooperated on the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States, a development that has complicated the diplomatic narrative on both sides.

Analysts caution that the size of the U.S. naval deployment in the South Caribbean is substantial but not sufficient evidence of a planned invasion. The current posture appears aimed at signaling capability and signaling resolve, rather than executing a full-scale assault. Still, the rapid mobilization of civilian militias in Venezuela underscores how the country is turning to internal defense measures as it navigates a fraught diplomatic crisis with Washington. The long-term implications remain uncertain, and observers say the situation could hinge on broader regional dynamics, including pressure from international actors and the ongoing U.S. approach to counter-narcotics in the hemisphere.

As the political rhetoric continues, Venezuelan authorities insist that the militias are a shield for the people and a reminder that the country will defend its sovereignty. Critics, however, worry about the risks of arming large numbers of civilians, particularly older residents, and the potential for human rights concerns should the tensions escalate. The neighborhood-level mobilization in Petare and similar districts illustrates how deeply the crisis has penetrated daily life, turning streets into stages for a confrontation that could redefine regional security in the years ahead.

Image of the militia exercises in Caracas presented a stark reminder of the scale of Maduro’s mobilization effort. In coming days, observers will watch whether the militia remains a symbolic show of resolve or evolves into a more active defense role should the crisis widen. The international community has urged restraint, calling for de-escalation as the United States continues counter-narcotics operations and Venezuela seeks to maintain its credibility at home and abroad. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the current posture translates into a durable strategy or a temporary surge tied to the present moment of crisis.