Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has deployed 4.5 million National Guard members across the country as a measure against a new threat from the United States. The move comes days after Washington doubled the reward for his capture to $50 million, accusing Maduro of being the head of a Caracas-based drug cartel.
Maduro declared that the forces are “prepared, active and armed,” and that this special plan aims to cover every corner of the country to guarantee “national security.” The Venezuelan National Guard, founded by former President Hugo Chavez, has about 5 million members – including civilians and reservists – and reports directly to the general staff.
At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US has deployed naval and air forces to the Caribbean region as part of a broad operation against drug trafficking, which appears to indirectly aim to pressure the Maduro regime.
