US says it struck a second Venezuelan drug boat in international waters; three killed. Image: BBC News.
(The Post News) Venezuela’s military is facing severe limitations. Tensions with the United States are escalating. This raises questions about the country’s ability to defend itself against potential aggression. Despite having 337,000 military personnel, only a portion are active members.
The military responds with drills and a national strategy focused on guerilla resistance. There are 109,000 active members, and 220,000 are part of paramilitary forces. Venezuela’s military capacity is under serious strain ageing equipment, limited operational readiness and budget shortfalls have weakened many key units.
Analysts suggest the country would struggle in a conventional conflict. Asymmetric tactics and militia mobilization complicate the picture. These factors leave the country vulnerable.
US Deploys Military Personnel in the Caribbean
The US on the other hand, has significant military superiority, with advanced technology and equipment . The USS Gerald R.Ford aircraft carrier has been deployed to the region and the US has around 10,000 military personnel .Tensions between the U.S and Venezuela have escalated following increased American military presence in the Caribbean .
The U.S. claims it’s operations target drug trafficking. However, Venezuela views it as a threat to its sovereignty. They see it as a push for regime change. In response , President Nicolas Maduro has mobilized military and civilian forces, despite limited capacity . Venezuela’s army is undertrained, with outdated equipment , while the U.S. holds overwhelming technological superiority.
The situation has heightened fears of potential conflict , with both countries engaging in military drills and political posturing. The Venezuelan Air Force currently has 49 aircraft, but only around 30 are operational. U.S. sanctions have severely limited the country’s ability to maintain its fleet, leaving just three F-16 fighter jets still airborne.
Venezuela Military Under-Resourced
Meanwhile, the Navy is considered vastly under-resourced compared to its U.S. counterpart. Venezuela’s missile defense system includes approximately 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-craft missiles. However, only about 700 launchers are reportedly available. This limits deployment potential in a real combat scenario. The United States has justified its military activities in the region. They point to drug trafficking and human rights violations under Maduro’s regime.
The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier along with approximately 10,000 U.S troops in nearby waters, has heightened regional concerns. Venezuela in turn, views the build up as an attempt to destabilize its government. In response, military drills have been staged across the country. Shows of force are evident. State media is amplifying messages of resistance and sovereignty.
As both countries advance, observers fear that the standoff could escalate further, dragging the region into deeper geopolitical conflict. While no direct confrontation has occurred, the rhetoric and deployments suggests that both sides are preparing for worst-case scenarios. U.N. experts have regarded it as the geopolitical signalling, for the U.S the Caribbean deployment send messages to Russia, China and Iran for Venezuela.
There is a risk of Venezuela becoming a proxy battleground for a larger international power struggle. It is about resisting perceived imperial intervention.
Despite the rising tensions, there’s is no clear indication that the U.S. plans a ground invasion. However observers warn that continued military posturing could led to miscalculations with dangerous consequence.
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