UPDATE: Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has just announced that the country possesses 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles, heightening tensions amid escalating threats from the United States. This revelation comes as US President Donald Trump considers military action inside Venezuela as part of a broader counter-drug trafficking initiative.
In a military event broadcasted on June 10, 2023, Maduro declared that these missiles are strategically placed in “key air defense positions,” underscoring Venezuela’s readiness against potential US intervention. “Any military force in the world knows the power of the Igla-S, and Venezuela has no less than 5,000,” Maduro stated. The Igla-S systems are designed to target low-flying aerial threats, including drones and helicopters, making them a formidable asset for Venezuela’s defense capabilities.
This news comes as the US has deployed 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean, intensifying military operations aimed at combating drug cartels and demonstrating its military strength. Trump has indicated that he is contemplating extending military efforts to ground operations, intensifying pressure on Maduro’s regime. “We are certainly looking at land now, because we’ve got the sea very well under control,” Trump remarked during a press briefing.
Lawmakers in the US are scrutinizing the legality of recent military actions, including lethal strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking. Last week, Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, marking a significant escalation in the US’s strategy to weaken Maduro, a long-time adversary of Washington.
Maduro’s response has been to bolster military preparedness, mobilizing “millions” of militia members and repositioning troops across the nation. He claims that the people of Venezuela are “clear, united, and aware,” asserting that they are capable of thwarting what he describes as an “open conspiracy” against their country’s peace and stability.
While Maduro’s claims about the number of militia members have been met with skepticism from experts, he maintains that his forces are equipped to face any military threat. The Russian Igla-S missiles are known to have a range of up to 6,000 meters and can effectively engage targets at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters, according to the Russian arms export agency, Rosoboronexport.
Despite Maduro’s assertions, independent verification of the missile stockpile remains unconfirmed. However, analysts recognize that these systems are indeed part of Venezuela’s military arsenal, as documented by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
As tensions continue to escalate, the world is watching closely. What happens next could redefine the geopolitical landscape in Latin America. The situation remains fluid, with both US and Venezuelan officials poised for further developments in the coming days.
For now, the international community grapples with the implications of these military postures. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
