Militia shooting practice in Yaracuy state, Venezuela, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Photo: Yaracuy al Dia.
Caracas (OrinocoTribune.com)—Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino acknowledged Sunday the massive popular response of Venezuelans demonstrated in the deployments and militia training carried out as part of the “Independence Plan 200” military defense deployment.
In reviewing the operations, Padrino emphasized the people’s enthusiastic willingness to defend peace and national sovereignty following President Nicolas Maduro call. He stated that this demonstrates Venezuela’s enormous potential, a glorious history and a commitment to peace and work that any imperialist attempt at war will collide with.
“We gained political, military, and international cohesion,” he asserted, while praising public military training in 312 tactical units throughout the country, training on 96 live-fire ranges and the participation of militia members, combat corps, military reserve members and police officers.
He highlighted this as a strength of the civic-military union, founded on the example and legacy of Hugo Chávez and his efforts to erase the dividing lines between the armed forces and the people.
“How wonderful to see the people in our barracks! This is a legacy of Commander Chávez,” he added.
The top commander also denounced the deployment of the US fleet in the Caribbean, calling it an attempt by the current US administration to drag Venezuela into an unwanted war that threatens regional stability and the proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. He condemned recent US provocations aimed at provoking a violent incident to lead to a military escalation.
However, even if war is not the expected scenario, Venezuelans’ determination is to defend their right to freedom, peace, independence and respect for sovereignty, he added. He called on the Venezuelan people to remain calm and not fall prey to provocation.
Regarding the military exercises during a refresher tour of various commands, he noted that each deployment is a learning experience, ensuring mistakes are not repeated and effectiveness is optimized.
Friday’s US provocation
Minister Padrino described last Friday’s attack on the tuna fishing vessel Carmen Rosa as “shameful” and assured that Venezuela will protect its fishermen.
“I’ve never seen a boarding of eight hours in my life,” Minister Padrino said in reference to the recent US action. “Two hours at most, but it was eight hours interrupting the work of these humble fishermen.”
He reported that the fishermen were authorized to carry out their activity and were surprised by a US destroyer that approached them for what he called an “eight-hour visit and search.” He said the crew of the Carmen Rosa had the destroyer in their line of sight, as did the Venezuelan Navy.
The fishermen explained that “the gringos who boarded the ship in a violent manner deceived them, telling them they were in communication with Caracas,” Padrino added.
“To carry out an operation of this nature, they’re supposed to notify us, respecting the conventions. They didn’t. They deceived the fishermen,” he said. “That’s a violation of treaties, of international law. This is shameful.”
The senior officer said it is inexplicable that a destroyer with a crew of 380 people and significant firepower was used to intimidate and humiliate humble fishermen.
Protection for fishermen
Padrino told fishermen in Venezuela and beyond “not to give in to terror,” adding that they have the protection of the government and President Maduro.
“We will support our fishermen so they can carry out their productive fishing activities, duly authorized in our seas, in our jurisdictional waters. We will protect them,” he emphasized.
Special for Orinoco Tribune by staff
OT/JRE/SA
