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Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Armed Forces, FANB, and thousands of civilians have begun joint military exercises in the face of renewed U.S. threats against the South American country.
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The exercises, which will be held from Aug. 26-27, form part of the “defense plan of the homeland” organized in defense of the country’s sovereignty. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the civic-military initiative on Aug. 14, days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Venezuela with talk of a possible “military option.”
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said that the Venezuelan people and the FANB are ready to give everything to defend the country.
Todo Preparado para el Ejercicio #SoberaniaBolivariana2017
— Circulo Militar FANB (@CirculoMilFANB) August 26, 2017
"La Defensa de Nuestra Patria Nos Corresponde a Todos" pic.twitter.com/sMclJDzHr2
Everything is ready for exercise #BolivarianSovereignty2017 "The defense of our country belongs to all of us"
«Bastante pueblo hay aquí» dispuesto a defender la soberanía #EsHoraDeDefenderLaPatria ejercicio cívico militar #SoberaníaBolivariana2017 pic.twitter.com/3UMU4bJIN1
— ZODI Nº12 Falcón (@ZodiFalcon) August 26, 2017
«There are many people here» ready to defend our sovereignty #ItIsTimeToDefendTheHomeland civic military exercise #BolivarianSovereignty2017
“The American empire responds to Venezuelan democracy with greater aggression,” Lopez said, alluding to new Washington-imposed sanctions against Venezuela on Friday.
“We must understand the broad concept of what sovereignty is, the capacity of a state, a nation and its government to make their own decisions. This country will follow the course that Venezuelans themselves decide upon,” he added, slamming U.S. attempts to interfere in the country’s affairs.
The nationwide exercises include ground excursions, combat readiness, mobilization and weapons training.
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