Venezuelans learn to shoot to defy Trump
CARACAS (AFP) — Venezuelan troops taught civilians how to shoot rifles, fire missiles and engage in handto-hand combat during drills held yesterday in defiance of US sanctions and US President Donald Trump’s threat of military action.
War planes, tanks and 200,000 troops of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) deployed along with 700,000 reservists and civilians as socialist President Nicolas Maduro launched two days of military exercises.
In a Caracas military academy, soldiers taught civilians how to use their fists, rifles, bazookas and anti-aircraft guns and supervised them on obstacle courses.
“Yankees out!” 60-year-old Erica Avendano yelled as she bashed a rag dummy with her rifle on an assault course.
“I hope nothing will happen, but we are ready for anything,” she told AFP.
Trump warned earlier this month that the United States was mulling a range of options against Venezuela, “including a possible military option if necessary.”
Top US officials later played down the threat. “No military actions are anticipated in the near future,” said US national security advisor HR McMaster.
But Trump’s tough talk bolstered Maduro’s oft-repeated claim that Washington is plotting to topple him and wants to grab control of Venezuela’s oil — the largest proven reserves in the world.
Gregorio Valderrama, a 23-year-old father of three, received a shooting lesson from soldiers on Saturday.