U. S. President Donald Trump announced that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be seen as fully closed. This statement comes as the U. S. increases pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government. Trump has mentioned the possibility of U. S. military strikes against drug boats in the region, which have already claimed over 80 lives, suggesting these strikes could lead to ground actions in Venezuela. Reports indicate that Trump has even discussed a potential call with Maduro regarding a U. S. visit.
The Venezuelan military is significantly less powerful than the U. S. military and suffers from poor training, low wages, and aging equipment. Maduro, in power since 2013, has kept military support by appointing officers to key government positions, but average soldiers earn only $100 a month, far below what families need for basic living. This situation has led to desertions, especially if an attack occurs. Venezuelan troops mainly have experience in dealing with unarmed civilians during protests. Although Maduro claims 8 million civilians are training in militias, estimates suggest only thousands could participate in defense.
In case of an attack, Venezuela is preparing guerrilla-style resistance, involving small military units carrying out sabotage actions. The military has around 5,000 Russian-made Igla missiles, with orders to disperse in the event of aggression. There are also Colombian guerrilla groups in Venezuela and armed collectives supporting the ruling party, which are accused of violent actions and ties to drug trafficking, although the government denies these allegations.