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PoliticsVenezuela

Venezuelans enlist in civilian corps amid US threat

Irfan Aftab
August 24, 2025

As the US increases pressure on President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of ties to drug cartels, Venezuelans are joining a newly created Bolivarian Militia — named after Latin American independence leader Simon Bolivar.

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Amid rising tensions with the United States, hundreds of Venezuelans — from civil servants to retirees — are joining the Bolivarian Militia.

The volunteers say they are defending their homeland against foreign interference following Washington's deployment of warships near Venezuela's coast and the move to offer a $50-million bounty on President Nicolas Maduro.