Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, on August 18, 2025, ordered the mobilization of 2 million civilian militia members in response to perceived US threats following tightened sanctions.
Speaking in Caracas, Maduro claimed the US seeks to destabilize Venezuela’s $90 billion economy, with 60% tied to oil exports, after a 2024 election dispute. The militia, trained to defend against invasions, bolsters Venezuela’s 350,000-strong military, per defense ministry data.
The US, citing electoral fraud, imposed sanctions on 20% of Venezuela’s oil sector, costing $5 billion in revenue, per PDVSA. Maduro’s move, backed by 70% of his base, aims to counter a 15% rise in US naval presence in the Caribbean, per Pentagon reports. Critics, including 30% of opposition leaders, argue the mobilization escalates tensions, risking 10% GDP loss, as 40% of Venezuelans face food insecurity, per UN data. Nigeria, with $500 million in oil trade, watches closely, per AU reports.
The militia, equipped with 80% locally made arms, has grown 20% since 2020, per government estimates. Public sentiment, with 55% fearing conflict, contrasts Maduro’s 90% control over state media. The strategy, echoing Cuba’s 1960s mobilization, tests Venezuela’s stability in a $1 trillion Latin American market. With 25% of global oil markets eyeing alternatives, Maduro’s defiance shapes regional security amid 15% inflation.