By Spy Uganda
Thousands of Venezuelan soldiers took their oaths of service at Fuerte Tiuna on Saturday as the country intensified its defense preparedness in response to growing military pressure from the United States. The ceremony, attended by senior commanders, marked the swearing-in of 5,600 new troops committed to safeguarding national sovereignty.
President Nicolás Maduro has encouraged increased recruitment following the arrival of a large US naval deployment in the Caribbean. Washington has sent warships and an aircraft carrier to the region, publicly framing the operation as part of counter-narcotics efforts. Venezuelan officials say the show of force threatens regional stability and represents an attempt to intimidate the country.
Maduro maintains that the presence of US forces is intended to pave the way for regime change and to secure control of Venezuela’s vast oil resources. He has urged the armed forces to remain vigilant and has highlighted the importance of unity among soldiers, police officers and civilian defense groups.
At Saturday’s ceremony, Colonel Gabriel Rendón reaffirmed the military’s commitment to national independence. He told the assembled troops that Venezuela would not permit any violation of its territory and emphasized the resolve of the armed forces to defend peace within the country’s borders.
“Under no circumstances will we allow an invasion by an imperialist force,” Rendón said, receiving strong applause from both troops and attendees.
Official figures show that Venezuela maintains an active force of approximately 200,000 soldiers, supported by a similarly sized national police structure. Authorities say the continued expansion and training of these forces reflect the country’s determination to preserve stability amid external pressure.
For the government, the mass swearing-in represents a demonstration of institutional strength and the enduring loyalty of the armed forces, which it views as central to protecting the nation’s democratic institutions, territorial integrity and control of its natural resources.
