Venezuela announces major military drill in Caribbean amid tensions with US

Speaking on state television VTV, Lopez said the “Sovereign Caribbean 200” exercise will involve more than 2,500 troops.

He said the drill, ordered by President Nicolas Maduro, will include 12 Bolivarian Navy vessels of various classes, 22 aircraft, special forces, intelligence units, a submarine and drones.

Lopez added that “military measures will be doubled” in the Caribbean Sea against the possibility of an armed conflict.

Referring to tensions with the US in the Caribbean region, he said that “at this particular time, we must redouble our efforts, increase our operational readiness and be prepared for a scenario of armed conflict at sea. And that is exactly what we are doing.”

Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello also addressed the issue at a press conference in the capital Caracas, targeting the US.

Cabello responded to US President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had shot down a drug-laden boat departing Venezuela in international waters.

He argued that the US had carried out an “illegal” and “hostile” intervention against a fishing vessel and said the matter would be brought before the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Accusing Washington of carrying out “disproportionate” attacks that amounted to “violations of sovereignty,” Cabello added: “No one knows anything about the three boats they mentioned. They say they were carrying drugs, but who saw the drugs? They claim they were carrying fentanyl—fentanyl from Venezuela? Hard to believe, very hard to believe.”