Venezuela Stages Massive Military Exercise To Counter US 'Threat'

Reuters: Venezuela stages military exercise to counter U.S. 'threat'

(Reuters) - Venezuela on Saturday staged a military exercise to counter an alleged U.S. threat, deploying soldiers and partisans across the country to march, man shoulder-fired missiles and defend an oil refinery from a simulated attack.

Socialist President Nicolas Maduro has framed recent U.S. sanctions on seven Venezuelan officials as a bid to topple him, and on Saturday his government mobilized 80,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians as part of a 10-day military drill.

"The United States has declared Venezuela a threat," said General Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela's defense minister.

WNU Editor: Something to divert everyone's attention in Venezuela from the political problems and economic shortages that they are having.

More News On Venezuela Staging A Massive Military Exercise

Venezuela Conducts Military Exercises, Claiming US Threat -- AP
Venezuela gears up military machine amid economic crunch -- AFP
Venezuela Begins Military Exercises To Protect Against US ‘Threat’ -- IBTimes