USS Gerald R Ford on its way into the Oslofjord, in Drøbak, Norway, in September 2025. Photo: Lise Aserud/Reuters/File photo.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reiterated that no foreign threat or aggression will intimidate the Venezuelan people, following what he detailed as 17 weeks of threats by US imperialism.
“If we have to take up arms, we will do so, and we would have a destiny of triumph and dignity,” the head of state said this Thursday, November 27, during a speech commemorating the 105th Anniversary of the Bolivarian Air Force. He called for everyone to remain calm and alert, to stay vigilant and ready to defend the nation as a free and sovereign homeland.
President Maduro noted that US imperialism has unleashed psychological warfare and immoral pressures on the people of Venezuela. However, he asserted that this situation has yielded “great insights that, in previous years, filled with apparent calm, we could not clearly discern with today’s clarity.”
He then presented an assessment of Venezuela’s preparedness and national unity, demonstrated through the military drills carried out under “Plan Independence 200.” He explained that the plan has been successfully implemented with the joined participation of grassroots organizations, police, and military across the Venezuelan territory.
The head of state brought to attention the military doctrine promoted by Commander Hugo Chávez as the basis for the concept of Venezuela’s national comprehensive defense strategy, highlighting that this doctrine guides the organization, technology, and morale of the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANB).
The Chavista military doctrine is heavily influenced by Mao Zedong’s concept of “people’s war”—a strategy famously employed by Vietnamese forces to resist and ultimately repel US military intervention during the 20th century. Drawing on this model, the Venezuelan government established the Bolivarian Militia as a distinct FANB branch. With approximately eight million registered members already, the militia has undergone intensive training for years, positioning it as a key component in Venezuela’s strategy to deter and counter perceived and real national security threats.
The president added that the defensive drills demonstrated the immense capacity for coordination, command, control, and communication, that clearly shows Venezuela’s desire to defend their sovereignty and right to peace.
President Maduro also praised the strength of the people in defending the nation, noting the extensive training they received by attending defensive exercises in military facilities, as well as the fact that military personnel went into local communities to train together with the people.
Photo-op at USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier
Meanwhile, the US empire’s secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, visited the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, which entered the Caribbean Sea on November 16 as part of the latest controversial US military operation.
In a video posted on social media, the chief of war is seen being greeted by the crew, who give him a military salute. The footage shows a uniformed personnel saluting him before it cuts off, accompanied by the caption: “Welcome to the Gerald R Ford, Secretary of War.”
From the aircraft carrier’s cockpit, Hegseth sent a message to the crew for “Thanksgiving Day,” and told them about the two National Guardsmen injured during a shooting near the White House in Washington the day before. News reports claim that the person responsible for the attack was an Afghan national who previously worked for the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
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During his speech to the troops, Hegseth also spoke of the “courage” of the US military for doing dangerous things in the name of US nationals. The US empire’s recent strikes against 21 small boats in the region, which have murdered 83 civilians so far, are not seen by many as heroic.
According to US and international legal experts, these strikes are illegal under international law. They have been labeled by the United Nations as extrajudicial killings, and have created internal friction within the imperial military infrastructure to the level that the US Southern Command chief, Admiral Alvin Holsey, submitted a step-down request a few weeks ago, allegedly due to disagreements with the operation.
To complete Hegseth’s public relations operation, another video was released where he appeared serving food to the crew as part of the US colonial “Thanksgiving” celebration.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/AU
