Venezuela on Wednesday (September 17) launched military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila, showcasing jets, warships and amphibious vehicles amid heightened tensions with the United States. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said the three-day drills, dubbed Caribe Soberano 200 (Sovereign Caribbean), were ordered by President Nicolás Maduro.

Government television showed Sukhoi fighter jets flying in formation and naval vessels maneuvering off the Venezuelan coast. Video also depicted amphibious tanks landing on the beaches of La Orchila and soldiers securing positions.

Speaking from the Military and Defense Operations Center in Caracas, Padrino said the maneuvers were aimed at demonstrating sovereignty over the island territory, which spans about 43 square kilometers.

"Today our commander-in-chief has ordered us an exercise, a campaign maneuver, it is called that, campaign maneuver ‘Caribe Soberano 200,’ and it is going to be carried out on La Orchila Island," he said.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

LA ORCHILA, VENEZUELA (SEPTEMBER 17, 2025) (GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN ARMED FORCES SUKHOI 30 JETS FLYING DURING THE “CARIBE SOBERANO 200” MILITARY DRILLS

2. VARIOUS OF VENEZUELAN ARMED FORCES NAVAL FLEET DURING THE “CARIBE SOBERANO 200” MILITARY DRILLS

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (SEPTEMBER 17, 2025) (GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

3. VENEZUELAN DEFENSE MINISTER VLADIMIR PADRINO LOPEZ SPEAKING FROM THE MILITARY AND DEFENSE OPERATIONS CENTER IN CARACAS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) VENEZUELAN DEFENSE MINISTER, VLADIMIR PADRINO LOPEZ, SAYING (SHOTS OF MAP AND OFFICIALS OVER SOUNDBITE):

"Today our commander-in-chief has ordered us an exercise, a campaign maneuver, it is called that, campaign maneuver 'Caribe Soberano 200,' and it is going to be carried out on La Orchila Island. To more or less reference it here on this map that I have behind me, here is La Orchila, an island territory of approximately 43 square kilometers.”

LA ORCHILA, VENEZUELA) (SEPTEMBER 17, 2025) (GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

5. VARIOUS OF AMPHIBIOUS TANKS LANDING ON THE BEACH DURING THE DRILL

6. VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS SECURING THE BEACHHEAD ON LA ORCHILA ISLAND

STORY: Venezuela on Wednesday (September 17) launched military exercises on its Caribb