Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the nationwide mobilization of more than 4.5 million militia members.
The announcement came after the United States confirmed a new military buildup around Latin America and the Caribbean.
Maduro, speaking on live television Monday, vowed that Venezuela would not allow any foreign power to violate its sovereignty.
“No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela,” he declared, addressing governors and mayors across the country.
The move came just days after Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.
The US has accused him of leading a drug trafficking network known as the Cartel of the Suns.
Last week, US officials confirmed naval movements aimed at countering drug cartels in the region.
Reuters reported that three Navy destroyers carrying about 4,000 personnel were expected to approach Venezuelan waters within 36 hours.
However, a US Department of Defense official told reporters on Tuesday that no ships had entered the area and no final deployment orders had been issued.
Venezuela’s coastline stretches nearly 2,500 miles, making maritime defense a strategic priority.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s stance.
“He is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country,” she told journalists.
Leavitt also repeated Washington’s long-held position that Maduro is “not a legitimate president.”
The US cut formal diplomatic ties with Venezuela in 2019.
Caracas has strongly denied the US accusations.
A statement from the Venezuelan government dismissed the claims as “threats and defamation.”
Senior officials, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, called the allegations “ridiculous” and politically motivated.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has also rejected the existence of the so-called Cartel of the Suns, describing it as an invention by Washington to justify sanctions and intervention.
The Venezuelan militia, created in 2005 under the late President Hugo Chávez, was formally integrated into the Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) in 2010.
Its mission is to involve ordinary citizens in national defense.
According to Maduro, the new mobilization will extend to factories, workplaces, and rural areas.
“Missiles and rifles for the working class, to defend our homeland,” he said.
The FANB currently has between 95,000 and 150,000 active personnel, according to Venezuela’s Ministry of Defense.
The militia, however, counts millions of reservists ready to supplement the armed forces.
Despite its massive militia, Venezuela ranks 50th in military power worldwide, according to Global Fire Power’s 2025 index.
The United States remains the strongest military force, followed by Russia and China.
Maduro’s mobilization order comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.
Observers say the standoff could escalate further if US warships approach Venezuelan waters.
For now, both sides appear committed to demonstrating military strength without direct confrontation.