Advertisement

Venezuelan army, civilian militias hold exercises after Trump’s military threat

Click to play video: 'President Trump says military option could be used for Venezuela'
President Trump says military option could be used for Venezuela
WATCH: President Trump says military option could be used for Venezuela – Aug 11, 2017

Venezuela held nationwide armed forces exercises on Saturday, calling on civilians to join reserve units to defend against a possible attack after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that a “military option” was on the table for the crisis-hit country.

Trump made the threat two weeks ago and on Friday he signed an order prohibiting dealings in new debt from the Venezuelan government or its oil company, a move to hobble financing that Trump says is fueling socialist President Nicolas Maduro‘s “dictatorship.”

READ MORE: Trump’s threat of military action against Venezuela slammed by Latin American governments

“Against the belligerent threats of the United States, all Venezuelans between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to contribute to the integral defense of the nation,” said an announcement broadcast early on Saturday on state television.

Story continues below advertisement

Maduro used Trump’s threat to try to energize his political base, broadcasting images of rifle-carrying civilians negotiating obstacle courses and learning hand-to-hand combat. The government created the hashtag #EsHoraDeDefenderLaPatria, which translates as “It’s Time To Defend The Homeland,” to promote the exercises.

WATCH: Democracy is “barely alive” in Venezuela: United Nations

Click to play video: 'Democracy is “barely alive” in Venezuela: United Nations'
Democracy is “barely alive” in Venezuela: United Nations

TV images showed Venezuelans young and old entering military reserve registration centers. But there was no evidence that registration reached far beyond government employees and Maduro’s Socialist Party loyalists.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Scenes were aired of camouflaged sharp-shooters firing their weapons while military commanders gave fiery speeches at “anti-imperialist” rallies. More exercises were scheduled for Sunday.

Opposition figure and former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles sent a tweet dismissing the weekend training program as an expensive farce. He said Maduro should focus instead on bringing down Venezuela’s high crime rate.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: U.S. government slaps sweeping financial sanctions on Venezuela

Diplomatic tensions increased last month when a legislative superbody called the constituent assembly was elected at Maduro’s behest. It has the power to legislate, bypassing the opposition-controlled congress.

Maduro says the new assembly is Venezuela’s only hope of restoring peace after months of deadly anti-government protests.

WATCH: Two killed as Venezuela crushes attack on military base

Click to play video: 'Two killed as Venezuela crushes attack on military base'
Two killed as Venezuela crushes attack on military base

Leaders of the fractious opposition coalition boycotted the July 30 election of the assembly, branding it an affront to democracy. They called for an early presidential election, which Maduro would likely lose as his popularity sinks along with an economy blighted by triple-digit inflation and food shortages.

Trump’s threat of military action played into Maduro’s hands by supporting his oft-repeated assertion that the U.S. “empire” has been waging economic war on Venezuela and wants to invade the country to steal its vast oil reserves.

Story continues below advertisement

The idea had been laughed off as absurd by opposition and U.S. officials before Trump said on Aug. 11 that “a military option is certainly something we could pursue” as a way of ending Venezuela’s crisis.

Sponsored content

AdChoices