Nicolas Maduro He stated this Sunday that in 2025 what he called “the supreme loyalty” of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) triumphed, after several months of tensions due to the military deployment that the United States has maintained since August in the Caribbean and that the Chavista leader denounces as a “threat.”
“This year the supreme loyalty of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces to the Bolivarian project, to its commander in chief and to the great destiny of the country has once again triumphed and been consolidated,” declared the president during the end-of-year greeting ceremony to the FANB from the Venezuelan Navy Academy in the state of La Guaira, near Caracas.
“Loyalty, loyalty, loyalty”the president requested at the event, which was broadcast by the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV), and added: “loyalty at all times and under all circumstances.”
Ripe He stated that Venezuela has been “threatened by Goliath” for 27 weeks, referring to the US deployment, which he considered “a crime.”
“Attempting to use threats, like Goliath did, against a noble and peaceful but warlike people, like the people of Venezuela, is a crime,” he said.
Despite this, he assured that The FANB “is more prepared than ever to continue winning peace and sovereignty with territorial integrity”and said he was “proud as the most proud” of the “bravery” and “combat capacity” demonstrated by the military.
“glorious history”
Likewise, he highlighted that the FANB has a “glorious story” and that it is made up of “emancipating” military personnel, who are not “imperialists.”
“They are not soldiers who go out to bomb towns, kill towns, steal wealth (…) We are the true liberators of a continent,” he added.
However, he indicated that military forces must “do more” for national defense and “in the framework of preparing the tasks for a popular, prolonged, active and lethal resistance” in the South American country.
During the event, the president received a rifle in recognition of his role as commander of the FANB.
Since August, the United States has maintained an air-naval deployment in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuelan waters, which, it claims, aims to combat drug trafficking in the region, but which Caracas interprets as “threats” and an attempt to bring about a regime change.
Tensions escalated after the announcement by US President Donald Trump of a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers moving to and from the South American country, and the confiscation of two ships transporting Venezuelan crude oil in recent days.
