Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (center) walks with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López (right) and troops during military exercises in Caracas on January 22, 2025. Photo: Venezuelan Presidential Press/file photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the activation of the Great Plains Corridor as part of the Independence 200 military drill that is being carried out to defend the nation against the threat posed by the United States.
The president announced on Saturday, October 18, that the drill began at midnight in the states of Barinas, Portuguesa, Cojedes, and Guárico, an area designated as the Great Plains Corridor for national defense.
“Today we completed all of the country’s integral defense zones. All states and federal entities are now ready for the 27 fundamental tasks of Venezuela’s integral defense,” Maduro said.
“We are moving forward in perfect national unity, in the unity of all Venezuelans who love our land and who wish to keep winning, following the path of peace,” he added.
He explained the drills are intended to optimize military preparedness and fine-tune the union of the military, the militia and the communes to defend the homeland against foreign threats.
“We keep winning for peace! That is the motto. Today, the defense of the plains are activated just hours before José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles receive their final canonization. Venezuela, a country of wise men and women, patriots, warriors, and saints! May God bless Venezuela!” he added, refererring to activities organized for Sunday and Monday in Venezuela in which Catholic worshippers will celebrate the canonization of the first Vatican-designated Venezuelan saints.
International brigades
Meanwhile, a campaign calling on foreigners to join the Venezuelan people in repelling any possible US military aggression is circulating on social media.
The “I am enlisting” campaign, created by the International Brigade in Defense of the Bolivarian Revolution, has garnered visible support. A video of Argentinians declaring their willingness to enlist has been shared online, highlighting international backing for the Venezuelan government.
On Monday, Diosdado Cabello, general secretary of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, confirmed that the party is formally welcoming the formation of such brigades with like-minded people from around the world willing to join the defense of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Venezuela’s PSUV Welcomes International Brigades to Defend Revolution Amid US Threats
“The International Brigade in Defense of the Bolivarian Revolution is already underway! There is only one call to unity: I am enlisting,” reads an Instagram post by the Network of Intellectuals and Artists in Defense of Humanity (REDH).
Such initiatives remind us of the international brigades formed by foreign volunteers during the Spanish Civil War against the fascist regime of Francisco Franco during 1936-1939.
So far, there is no official information on how the Venezuelan government will proceed. Experts suggest that it might be acting cautiously. However, a multiplication of supportive initiatives could lead to a formal protocol to make the brigades a reality.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SC
