Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the mobilization and training of all citizens joining the Bolivarian National Militia, framing the move as a direct response to what he described as growing threats from the United States.

The announcement came a day after Washington confirmed the deployment of 10 F-35 stealth fighter jets to reinforce the seven U.S. warships already operating in the Caribbean Sea. U.S. President Donald Trump further vowed to shoot down any Venezuelan military aircraft perceived as a threat to American forces in the region.