In his youth, Edith Perales joined the National Bolivarian Militia, a citizen organisation established by the late President Hugo Chávez in 2009 to support the defence of Venezuela.
“We must be a nation capable of safeguarding every inch of our territory to deter any external interference,” Chávez stated at the time.
After sixteen years, Perales, now 68, is preparing with thousands of other militia members for a possible US assault.
The disorganised contingent, predominantly composed of older residents, has been summoned after the deployment of US Navy vessels in the South Caribbean for what US officials described as counter-narcotics operations.
The US military has obliterated a minimum of three vessels purportedly transporting narcotics from Venezuela to the US, resulting in the fatalities of at least 17 individuals aboard.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, characterised the strikes and the US naval deployment as a “non-declared war” by the US against Venezuela, prompting President Nicolás Maduro to activate the militia promptly.
Perales possesses his uniform and boots, prepared to safeguard his “bastion” — the Caracas neighbourhood in which he resides.
He resides in 23 de Enero, a district in the capital that has historically been a bastion of Chavismo—the Marxist philosophy established by the late President Chávez and embraced by his designated successor, Nicolás Maduro.
A devoted government supporter, he asserts he is “prepared to serve whenever summoned”.
“We must safeguard the homeland,” he informs the media, reflecting the rhetoric employed by President Maduro during the assaults on the vessels.
Experts have informed the media that the deployment of US naval troops in the South Caribbean is substantial; nevertheless, they have also indicated that it is insufficient to imply a planned invasion.
The relationship between Venezuela and the United States, always fragile, has further worsened since Donald Trump’s return to power.
The United States is one of several countries that have not acknowledged Maduro’s re-election in July 2024, citing evidence collected by the Venezuelan opposition, with assistance from outside observers, indicating that his opponent, Edmundo González, won the poll decisively.
Shortly after assuming office for a second term, Trump designated the Venezuelan criminal organisation, Tren de Aragua, as a terrorist entity, which he has utilised as a rationale for the deportation of Venezuelan migrants from the United States and for recent military operations in the Caribbean.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of collusion with drug traffickers and has lately increased the prize for information leading to his apprehension to $50 million (£37.3 million).
Maduro has categorically dismissed Washington’s allegations and has justified his government’s measures against drug trafficking.
The Maduro administration has collaborated with the Trump administration by accepting Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States, whom American officials alleged were gang members.
Following the initial maritime incident, Maduro dispatched a letter to his U.S. counterpart requesting a meeting, a proposal that the White House has declined.
However, his internal tone has remained confrontational.
Maduro has directed the Venezuelan military, the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB), to instruct local militias, including the one affiliated with Edith Perales.
These groups predominantly consist of volunteers from impoverished neighbourhoods; however, public sector employees have also reported experiencing coercion to join them.
The militia has primarily been utilised to supplement attendance at political rallies and parades.
Their members are often much older than those who affiliate with the notorious “colectivos”—gangs of staunch government supporters suspected of perpetrating human rights violations and frequently employed to disperse anti-government demonstrations.
