CARACAS, Venezuela — The country is hemmed in by the largest U.S. military presence off South America in decades. For two months, U.S. forces have been blowing up boats off its coast, killing scores; President Donald Trump has warned “land is going to be next” — and then denied land strikes are coming.
The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, meanwhile, has moved troops to the borders, deployed antiaircraft batteries and urged civilians to prepare for the worst.
Ordinary Venezuelans, however, say they have more pressing concerns.
“Yes, I worry” about a U.S. attack, said a young cook from Sucre, the state from which several of the boats targeted by the administration have departed. “But we cannot think about anything else without buying food first.” He spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
As U.S. ramps up the pressure, Venezuela pleads with Moscow, Beijing for help
Documents show Maduro drafted letter asking Russia for missiles, radars and upgraded aircraft as U.S. forces amass in the Caribbean.
Amid a buildup of American forces in the Caribbean, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is reaching out to Russia, China and Iran to enhance its worn military capabilities and solicit assistance, requesting defensive radars, aircraft repairs and potentially missiles, according to internal U.S. government documents obtained by The Washington Post.
The requests to Moscow were made in the form of a letter meant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and was intended to be delivered during a visit to the Russian capital by a senior aide this month.