Venezuela is secretly developing plans to confront the United States through guerrilla warfare and organized street chaos, according to leaked documents obtained by Reuters. The strategy emerges as President Donald Trump suggests possible ground operations in the South American nation.
Venezuela's Military Weakness Exposed
Multiple sources have confirmed to Reuters that Venezuela's armed forces are severely outmatched by US military power. The country's military has been weakened by inadequate training, low salaries averaging about $100 monthly, and aging equipment that has deteriorated over time.
Commanders of some military units have reportedly been forced to negotiate directly with local food producers to feed their soldiers due to insufficient government supplies. Many soldiers have received training primarily in crowd control against unarmed protesters rather than conventional warfare tactics.
Venezuela's military equipment includes approximately 20 Sukhoi fighter jets that analysts say cannot compete with modern US aircraft. The country's helicopters, tanks, and anti-aircraft missiles are also outdated, though Venezuela has deployed about 5,000 Igla-S handheld missiles, which are decades old.
Two-Pronged Defense Strategy
Venezuela is preparing two main approaches to counter any potential US intervention. The first strategy, called "prolonged resistance," involves small military units spread across more than 280 locations throughout the country. These units would employ classic guerrilla tactics including sabotage and hit-and-run attacks if the US launches military operations.
The second plan, known as "anarchisation," would utilize intelligence officers and armed loyalists of the ruling party to create chaos in the streets of Caracas. This strategy aims to make the country ungovernable for any invading force by generating widespread disorder.
Government insiders admit that despite these preparations, Venezuela stands little chance in a conventional military conflict. "We wouldn't last two hours," one government-linked source told Reuters. Another security insider acknowledged that Venezuela lacks the professionalism and preparation to confront a military power like the United States.
Political Context and Regional Tensions
President Nicolas Maduro, who has held power since 2013, insists that Washington seeks to remove him from office. He has claimed that the substantial US military deployment within striking distance of Venezuela represents part of a plan to overthrow his government and seize the country's oil resources under the guise of anti-drug operations.
While US forces have been destroying boats allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela, observers note that tankers shipping Venezuelan oil in violation of US embargoes continue to navigate Caribbean waters undisturbed.
Russia has indicated willingness to assist Venezuela with equipment repairs, radar upgrades, and missile supplies, while simultaneously cautioning against escalating regional tensions. Maduro has publicly claimed that 8 million civilians are training in militias, though sources estimate only 5,000 to 7,000 would actually participate in the "anarchisation" plan, with approximately 60,000 soldiers and National Guard members joining the "prolonged resistance" strategy.
Despite the secret preparations, Venezuelan government officials publicly dismiss concerns about a potential US attack, maintaining they seek peaceful resolution. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has mocked the notion that bombings could topple the government, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino recently stated during new military drills that "We are ready here, we don't want war."
