Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed on Wednesday that his country has deployed 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles in “key air defense positions” across its territory. This boast comes amid escalating tensions with the United States, which has increased its military presence in the Caribbean.
Key Points of the Escalation:
- Venezuela’s Defense: Maduro highlighted the Igla-S missiles, which are short-range, low-altitude, shoulder-fired systems (similar to US Stingers) capable of shooting down drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and low-flying planes. According to Russian exporter Rosoboronexport, the missiles have a range of up to 6,000 meters and a maximum altitude of 3,500 meters. Maduro emphasized their widespread deployment, stating they are in “the last mountain, the last town, and the last city.”
- US Military Pressure: The US has deployed 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean as part of a counter-drug trafficking campaign. President Donald Trump has stated he is weighing military action inside Venezuela to weaken Maduro, including considering an expansion of operations to land now that the sea is “very well under control.”
- Covert and Lethal Action: Trump has also authorized the CIA to conduct covert action in Venezuela. The US has carried out several lethal strikes on boats off the Caribbean coast, alleging they were trafficking narcotics. These strikes have been questioned by US lawmakers for their legality.
- Maduro’s Response: Maduro has responded by repositioning troops, denouncing the US activity as an “open conspiracy,” and claiming to have mobilized over 8 million reservists in volunteer militias (a number experts have questioned).
The escalating rhetoric suggests the US goal is to establish a credible threat of military action to pressure Maduro to step down, while Maduro is working to demonstrate a fortified defense of national sovereignty.
What questions do you have about the military capabilities or the political context of this situation?
