Maduro deploys millions of Venezuelan troops across country after US ships near Latin America

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday announced he was deploying at least 4.5 million militiamen across his country after the United States allegedly increased its warship presence near the Latin American country.

The U.S. reportedly increased its naval presence in Latin America by deploying three Naval Destroyers to help contain and intercept threats from drug cartels and other traffickers, according to the Miami Herald. 

The U.S. also doubled its reward earlier this month for information leading to Maduro's arrest, with the State and Justice Departments now offering $50 million for the information.

“This week I’m launching a special plan to ensure coverage by more than 4.5 million prepared, activated, and armed militia members across the national territory,” Maduro said in a televised event, per CNN. "Militias prepared, activated, and armed."

Maduro said that the activations are in response to the recent "extravagant, bizarre and outlandish" threats from the U.S. 

“We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands," Maduro said. "We liberated them. We guard and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela, nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America."

Maduro has been charged in New York with narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices, the State Department said.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.