On December 28, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced the mobilization of more than 5,600 soldiers to participate in a defensive exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.
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| Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a meeting with members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) in Caracas on December 28. (Source: AFP) |
The statement was made after the British government decided to send warships to Guyana amid a dispute between the South American country and Venezuela over the Esequibo territory.
AFP news agency quoted President Maduro as saying that this defensive exercise was intended to "respond to Britain's provocations and threats to Venezuela's peace and sovereignty."
“We believe in diplomacy, dialogue and peace. But no one should threaten and mess with Venezuela. We are a people of peace, a people of peace, but we are also fighters and any sovereign nation cannot accept this threat,” the leader stressed.
Previously, Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez affirmed that the country's military is always on alert to protect Esequibo, which is disputed with Guyana, and is ready to face "upcoming challenges" to continue "ensuring national sovereignty and territorial integrity".
Meanwhile, President of Venezuela's Latin American Congress Ángel Rodríguez also condemned the UK's decision to send warships to Guyana.
According to Mr. Rodríguez, the move, which Britain described as “military and diplomatic support” for Guyana, is “a clear threat to peace in the region and a provocative act” that “violates international law.”
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