Venezuelan President Maduro issues warning to the US

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has made a new statement regarding the increasing US military presence in the Caribbean.

In a program he attended with military officials on Venezuelan state television, President Maduro announced that Russian-made Igla-S man-portable air-defense systems have been deployed at strategic locations throughout the country.

Maduro stated, "Every army in the world knows the power of the Igla-S systems; there are at least 5,000 of these systems in Venezuela. Any act of aggression will be met with immediate defense." In his statement, President Maduro added, "The man-portable air-defense systems have been deployed on every mountain, in every town, and in every city in the region."

Maduro's remarks came following US President Donald Trump's statement regarding a potential military operation against Venezuela as part of the fight against drug trafficking. The US President had previously confirmed in a statement that he had authorized the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct operations on Venezuelan soil in line with the "fight against drugs."

The short-range, low-altitude Russian-made Igla-S systems are known for their similarity to US-made Stinger missiles. With this military equipment, small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and cruise missiles, as well as helicopters and fighter jets, can be neutralized. However, Igla-S systems cannot be used effectively against bombers and stealth fighter jets flying at high altitudes.

It is known that the US has deployed approximately 4,500 marines and sailors in the Caribbean as part of the fight against drug trafficking. The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) frequently conducts air strikes on boats alleged to be carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela as part of its recent operations in the region.

News Source: İHA