Venezuelan soldiers around a tank on which another soldier waves a Venezuelan flag during a military drill in Cojedes state. Photo: Presidential Press/file photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the launch of a “special military drill” across the country.
In a social media post on Saturday, October 4, he said that the initiative involves a full deployment of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB), the Bolivarian Militia, 335 Integral Defense Areas (ADI), and 15,751 Popular Integral Defense Bases (BPDI) connected to the commune network.
President Maduro explained that the exercise serves as a nationwide “command, leadership, and communications review” to verify territorial and national defense mechanisms at every level.
Venezuelan analysts note that since the start of the growing US military threats, the country has witnessed renewed patriotism and national unity, and that this has enabled a comprehensive military planning and cohesion strategy that prioritizes coordination among the armed forces, militias, and communes.
Defense minister brief
On Saturday, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López reported from Bolívar Square in Caracas on the progress of the drill, confirming compliance with control, verification, and communication guidelines established for the exercise.
He added that a fourth component was introduced—verification of existing command structures. “This is not a mere statements,” he said. “We are confirming that command structures exist and that the general staffs of all FANB operational units, military components, and Strategic Regions of Integral Defense are deployed across Venezuela’s 355 municipalities.” Each of these, he said, has a designated military leader overseeing operations.
Minister Padrino also noted that command posts, task assignments, and the functioning of the general staff apparatus are being tested, emphasizing that comprehensive defense zones are now installed throughout the nation, municipality by municipality, commune by commune.
He highlighted that the exercise reinforces and consolidates coordination among military, police, and popular sectors that was developed during the past 45 days. He added that decision-making in defense operations must remain a dynamic, structured, and field-tested process to ensure effectiveness.
Interior Minister Cabello: The enemy will encounter an impregnable barrier
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, reporting from La Guaira state, said, “When we say they will not pass through La Guaira, we mean they will not pass through La Guaira. The enemy should know that they will face an impregnable barrier and the dignity of a people standing chest to chest with the Caribbean Sea, which only strengthens the people’s morale.”
He praised the presence of citizens, police, and soldiers who joined the drill. “When the trumpet of the homeland sounds, even the mother’s song falls silent. Everyone steps forward to defend the homeland,” he said.
“Venezuela is deployed in a command, control, and communications drill coordinated by our FANB’s Commander in Chief Nicolás Maduro Moros,” he added. He also asked for detailed reviews “because it is in the details that the problems are noticed.”
He stressed that a competent commander must deploy people according to their skills. “A commander does not improvise,” he said. “A doctor does not perform a mechanic’s work. That is what these exercises refine.”
The minister emphasized that these drills include Venezuelans beyond political lines—citizens committed to defending the homeland “under any circumstance.”
“We Chavistas will defend all Venezuelans,” he declared. “It is troubling that a small minority, about 3% to 7%, promotes a foreign military attack on our country, thinking outsiders can solve their political problems.”
“There are no bombs that kill only Chavistas, no cartridges that strike only Chavistas,” he added. “Anyone who believes that is deeply mistaken.”
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez visits barracks
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, during a visit to the Montaña Barracks in the 23 de Enero neighborhood of Caracas, said, “We Venezuelans have demonstrated full integration into military systems for the protection and defense of our territory and peace.”
Rodríguez noted that the Venezuelan people “will never surrender” and will recognize only the authority of the Venezuelan people themselves. She said that if US imperialism dares to attack, they will find “the Venezuelan people organized, ready, and willing to defend the peace of our homeland.”
She emphasized that Venezuela does not threaten others but respects international law and seeks relations based on brotherhood, cooperation, and friendship.
“Those who wish to attack Venezuela will fail,” Rodríguez said. “They will face an impregnable wall formed by the will and strength of the people defending peace.”
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Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SC
