STORY: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday (October 22) that the country has deployed over 5,000 Igla-S air defense systems across strategic positions nationwide, emphasizing their role in safeguarding Venezuela's peace and stability.

During a televised event alongside government officials, Maduro highlighted the significance of the Igla-S systems, stating, "Venezuela has deployed no fewer than 5,000 Igla-S in key air defense positions to ensure the peace, stability, and tranquility of its people."

Maduro's comments came in a context where the U.S. has escalated its military operations targeting alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Pacific.

On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military killed five alleged drug smugglers in strikes against two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in an expansion of the Trump administration's use of the armed forces in its counter-narcotics campaign. The strikes came on top of at least seven others in the Caribbean in a campaign that has raised U.S. tensions with Venezuela and Colombia.

The strikes in the Caribbean have killed at least 32 people, but the Trump administration has provided few details, such as how many alleged drugs the targeted vessels were carrying or what specific evidence it had to suggest they were carrying drugs.

Trump also reiterated plans to strike targets on the ground in Venezuela, which would be an escalation. He said if he takes this step, his administration likely would inform the U.S. Congress.

Maduro has denied any involvement in drug trafficking and condemned the U.S. strikes as violations of Venezuelan sovereignty.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO AT EVENT / SOUNDBITE FROM MADURO / FOOTAGE OF MILITARY WEAPONS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY

SHOWS: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (OCTOBER 22, 2025) (VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT NICOLAS MADURO SPEAKING DURING EVENT NEXT TO OFFICIALS

2. OFFICIALS DURING EVENT

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT, NICOLAS MADURO, SAYING: [SOUNDBITE BEGINS WITH SHOT OF OFFICERS STANDING AND LISTENING TO MADURO]

"Every military force in the world is aware of the power of the Igla-S, and Venezuela has deployed no fewer than 5,000 Igla-S in key air defense positions to ensure the peace, stability, and tranquility of its people. More than 5,000. Those who understand, understand. This simulation equipment puts us in a position for good aim with thousands of Igla-S operators that we have in every mountain, every village, every city that you can imagine in Venezuelan territory, from north to south, from east to west, which must be an impregnable homeland. Let no one mess with Venezuela, because we don't mess with anyone."

4. PEOPLE APPLAUDING

5. (WITH SPANISH NARRATION) VARIOUS OF MILITARY WEAPONS ON DISPLAY