Maduro Boasts of 5,000 Russian Missiles to Counter US Threats and Declares Defence Plan Complete

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Wednesday that his country possesses five thousand Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles to counter US military threats.

Maduro’s statement came after the United States launched a series of strikes off the Venezuelan coast in September, targeting boats it claimed were used for drug smuggling. Maduro said on Wednesday that "any military force in the world recognizes the power of the Igla-S missiles, and Venezuela has no less than five thousand of them."

International Warnings and Completion of Defence Plan

On Tuesday, United Nations experts warned that the "covert action" and threats of using armed force by the United States against Caracas constitute a "violation of Venezuela's sovereignty and the UN Charter."

US President Donald Trump launched a military campaign that he claims is aimed at curbing the flow of drugs from Latin America to the United States. Since September, US strikes have targeted at least six vessels, mostly speedboats in the Caribbean region, but Washington has not provided any evidence that the at least 27 people killed were drug traffickers.

Last Saturday, Maduro announced that the defence plan against "US threats" has been completed, coinciding with the deployment of US warships off the Venezuelan coast. Maduro ordered military exercises across the country, affirming in a voice recording published via Telegram: "Today, we have completed all the integrated defence zones in the country." Maduro revealed new military exercises dubbed "Independence 200." The majority of these drills are conducted at night and do not result in the permanent stationing of military forces.