Venezuela is deploying 5,000 Russian-made anti-aircraft missiles at “key air defense sites,” President Nicolas Maduro claimed on Wednesday, as tensions rise over US military deployments in the Caribbean.
US President Donald Trump has said he is considering military action inside Venezuela as part of a campaign against drug trafficking and broader efforts to undermine President Maduro, a longtime enemy of Washington.
“Every military in the world knows the power of Igla S, and there are more than 5,000 Igla S in Venezuela,” President Maduro said at an event with military officials broadcast by Venezlana de Television (VTV).
The Russian Igla-S missile is a short-range, low-altitude system similar to the American Stinger. It can shoot down not only helicopters and low-flying planes, but also small aerial targets such as cruise missiles and drones.
President Maduro said the missiles were light enough to be carried by a single soldier and were deployed “to the last mountain, the last town, the last city of the territory.”
The United States has dispatched 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean to strengthen operations against cartels and demonstrate military power. Several deadly attacks were carried out on boats suspected of carrying out drug trafficking off the Caribbean coast.
US lawmakers from both parties have questioned the legality of the attack on the alleged “drug ship.”
President Trump last week said he had authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela and said the United States was considering expanding military operations on the ground as part of a U.S. pressure campaign that officials say is aimed at overthrowing President Maduro.
“We are certainly looking to the land now because the seas are well controlled,” the president told reporters.
The Trump administration has been quietly laying the groundwork for possible military action in Venezuela in recent months by linking Maduro to drug traffickers and cartels that authorities have designated as terrorist organizations that pose an imminent threat to the United States. But so far, there is no indication that President Trump has decided to take that step or directly target the Venezuelan leader.
Instead, it was aimed at pressuring Maduro to resign himself, and also to establish a credible threat of U.S. military action if he did not resign, officials told CNN.
President Maduro has responded by redeploying the military, mobilizing “millions” of militias and condemning U.S. activities in the region.
President Maduro said in a televised address last week that the Venezuelan people are “clear, united and aware.”
“They have the means to once again defeat this open conspiracy against peace and stability in Venezuela.”
President Maduro claims his volunteer militias currently have more than 8 million reservists, but experts question their numbers and the quality of the military’s training.
Rosoboronexport, the Russian state-owned company that exports the Igla-S system, says it has a range of up to 6,000 meters and can reach targets at altitudes of up to 3,500 meters.
CNN has not been able to independently verify the number of Igla-S missiles Maduro mentioned, but they are known to be part of Venezuela’s arsenal, according to the Military Balance compiled by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino has been photographed with the launcher multiple times in Caracas.
CNN has reached out to the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense and the US Department of Defense for comment.
