Venezuela vows to protect its coast from US potential ‘covert operations’

CARACAS – Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said on Oct 25 that it is conducting military exercises to protect its coast against any potential “covert operations” as the US expands its regional military presence.

The move comes a day after the Pentagon ordered the

deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group

into the region, an escalation of the ongoing campaign of deadly attacks on alleged drug-smuggling boats that have killed at least 43 people.

Mr Padrino said: “We are conducting an exercise that began 72 hours ago, a coastal defence exercise... to protect ourselves not only from large-scale military threats but also to protect ourselves from drug trafficking, terrorist threats and covert operations that aim to destabilise the country internally.”

Tensions are mounting in the region with President Donald Trump saying he has

authorised

Central Intelligence Agency

(CIA) operations in Venezuela

and that he is considering ground attacks against alleged drug cartels in the Caribbean country.

Since Sept 2, US forces have bombed 10 alleged drug boats with eight of the attacks in the Caribbean.

The Republican leader accuses Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug cartel, which the latter denies.

Venezuelan state television showed images of military personnel deployed in nine coastal states and a member of Mr Maduro’s civilian militia carrying a Russian Igla-S shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile.

“CIA is present not only in Venezuela but everywhere in the world,” Mr Padrino said on Oct 24. “They may deploy countless CIA-affiliated units in covert operations from any part of the nation, but any attempt will fail.”

Since August, Washington has deployed eight US Navy ships, 10 F-35 warplanes and a nuclear-powered submarine for anti-drug operations, but Caracas maintains these manoeuvres mask a plan to overthrow the Venezuelan government.

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will enter the region to join the fleet. The warship USS Gravely is travelling to Trinidad and Tobago on Oct 26 for five days of joint exercises. AFP