Maduro displays an arsenal of 5,000 Russian missiles and challenges US military presence in the Caribbean

The president of Venezuela, Nicolas Madurostated this Wednesday (22) that the country is “ready to protect its sovereignty and guarantee regional peace”highlighting that the Venezuelan Armed Forces count on 5,000 Russian Igla-S anti-aircraft missiles. The statement was made on national television, amid growing military tension in the Caribbean caused by United States operations close to Venezuelan territory.

The information was released by Folha de S.Paulowho highlighted that the announcement coincided with a North American offensive in international Pacific waterswhere two people died, according to the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. The episode raised concerns among Latin American governments regarding the advance of US military presence in the region.

Defense and military deterrence

During the speech, Maduro stated that the Venezuela has one of the most robust anti-aircraft defense systems in Latin Americareinforced by Russian-made weapons.

“Any military force in the world knows the power of Igla-S, and Venezuela has no less than 5,000 Igla-S,” he declared.

According to the president, thousands of Venezuelan operators are positioned in “strategic anti-aircraft defense points”ready to “guarantee the stability and tranquility of the people”.

O Igla-S is a portable surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia to intercept low-altitude aircraft, helicopters and drones. The equipment, widely used in armies around the world, is considered a short-range defensive weaponaimed at protecting land units and critical infrastructure.

Maduro highlighted that the missiles have already been used in national military training and integrate the strategy of deterrence against possible external threats.

Escalation of tension with the United States

The statement came hours after the US president, Donald Trumpadvertise new military operations in Latin America under the argument of combat drug trafficking.

“We’re going to hit them very hard when they come over land; they haven’t experienced that yet,” Trump said, according to international agencies.

Experts point out that the recent US maneuvers represent one of the most aggressive campaigns in the region in recent decadescom joint operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

In response, Maduro classified the American military presence as “the most lethal threat ever faced by Venezuela” and made an appeal to the international community.

“Tell the people of the United States: no to war. We don’t want a war in the Caribbean and South America,” he said, ending his speech in English: “No war, please, please, please. Listen to me.”

The insisted president a Venezuelan defense policy is strictly defensiveaimed at protection of territory and populationin accordance with the international law.

International condemnation of US actions

Three independent experts from UN Human Rights Council publicly condemned United States military operations, stating that they “violate fundamental international obligations not to intervene in the internal affairs of another country”.

In a note, the rapporteurs warned that American actions constitute a dangerous escalationcom potential to destabilize peace and security in the Caribbean.

A ALBA-TCP Foreign Relations Commission (Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) also expressed support for Venezuela, asking that United Nations monitor the situation and reinforce diplomatic containment mechanisms.

“There is no justification for military maneuvers in a region that has historically sought dialogue and peace,” the statement said.

Resistance and sovereignty strategy

Maduro’s rhetoric is part of a resistance strategy in the face of political and economic isolation imposed by the United Stateswhich maintain sanctions on the Venezuelan oil and financial sector since 2019.

The Caracas government has deepened its military and energy cooperation with allied countrieslike Russia, China and Iranseeking to reduce its dependence on the Western market.

“Our defense is to protect the country, not to attack. Venezuela wants peace, but is ready to defend its sovereignty if necessary,” said the president.

According to analysts from Latin American Center for Strategic Studies (CLAE)the missile display Igla-S it was a symbolic gesture of showing strengthintended for both deter external threats as for reinforce the internal discourse of national resistance.

Regional context and escalation risks

The increase in tensions between Venezuela and the United States occurs in a scenario of broader geopolitical instabilitymarked by the dispute for influence in the Caribbean and the competition for strategic energy and trade routes.

In recent months, the Pentagon has expanded the presence of warships and surveillance aircraft in the regionwhile Venezuela carried out joint exercises with Russian and Cuban forces.

Diplomatic sources in Caracas claim that the Venezuelan government maintains dialogue channels with the UN and allied countries in South Americain an attempt to prevent the impasse from evolving into an open conflict.

“What Venezuela seeks is respect. We want to coexist in peace, without external interference”, concluded Maduro.

📊 Summary of the Venezuela–USA crisis:

Declaration: Maduro says Venezuela has 5,000 Russian Igla-S missiles.

Context: US military operations in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

International reaction: UN and ALBA condemn American actions.

Appeal: Maduro calls for “peace and dialogue” and rejects war.

Risk: Military escalation threatens stability in the Caribbean region.