STORY: Venezuelan civilians received training on Saturday (September 13) in the use of firearms as part of President Nicolás Maduro’s defence strategy in response to the escalating U.S. presence in the southern Caribbean to counter drug trafficking.

Citizens who had enrolled in the Bolivarian National Militia learned to operate firearms from the Presidential Guard of Honour in a Caracas barracks.

The training kicked off at 312 barracks around the country following a recruitment call by Maduro amid rising tensions with the United States.

The militia is a branch of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, and the training is part of Operation Independence 200, according to Venezuelan media.

The training took place the same day the Venezuelan government announced on Saturday that a U.S. destroyer intercepted, boarded and occupied a Venezuelan tuna fishing vessel for eight hours in the waters of the South American country's Special Economic Zone on Friday (September 12).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (SEPTEMBER 13, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS BEING INSTRUCTED BY PRESIDENTIAL GUARD OF HONOUR IN USE OF FIREARMS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF THE BOLIVARIAN MILITIA, ANGEL BEJERANO, SAYING:

“Today we are participating in a civilian-military (training exercise) following our President Nicolas Maduro Moros’s instructions. In this civilian-military union, we seek to consolidate our knowledge of the defence of our country for what is to come, so that integral defence is secured.”

3. VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS POINTING GUNS DURING TRAINING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF THE BOLIVARIAN MILITIA, MARCOS OCHOA, SAYING:

“Of course it’s important to learn to handle these kinds of information, because given current events, which we don’t know how they will unfold, we must be ready for any future situation. Therefore, it’s important that all people manage this information.”

5. GUARD OF HONOUR GIVING CLASS ON USE OF FIREARMS, SEATED PARTICIPANTS LISTENING

6. VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS OPERATING LONG GUNS

7. WEAPONS ON TABLE

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF THE BOLIVARIAN MILITIA, DOMAICA TERAN, SAYING:

“Now they’re instructing women, as it is usually men who handle these types of weapons. It’s very practical and easy, and we can handle these weapons as well. In the past, you didn’t see much of this, but now we are seeing it. The use of these weapons is easy.”

9. VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS HANDLING MILITARY WEAPONS

10. VARIOUS OF SOLDIER GIVING INSTRUCTIONS ON USE OF LONG GUNS

11. MILITARY WEAPONS ON TABLE

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEMBER OF THE BOLIVARIAN MILITIA, JENNIFER MORENO, SAYING:

“We’re here today giving our best as Venezuelans, staying united, in fraternity, and standing shoulder to shoulder for what may happen in the coming days.”

13. VARIOUS OF CIVILIANS HANDLING MILITARY WEAPONS

14. VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR VIEW OF BARRACKS