Venezuela Starts Handing Out Rifles to Civilians

The Venezuelan military has begun distributing rifles to civilians in the country’s working-class neighborhoods.

Officially, this is presented as the creation of local militias capable of armed resistance in the event of a foreign invasion, according to the La Guardia de Honor Presidencial (Presidential Guard of Honor) of Venezuela.

The initiative is part of the ‘comprehensive defense’ concept promoted by the government of Nicolás Maduro.

Similar actions have already been recorded before: about two months ago, the Venezuelan authorities announced that the population was preparing for a ‘guerrilla war’ amid worsening relations with the United States.

At the time, official Caracas directly linked the militarization of civilians to the threat of external intervention and possible forceful pressure from Washington.

The formation of armed groups among civilians complements the existing system of Bolivarian militia that operates in parallel with the armed forces.

Analysts point out that this practice simultaneously fulfills an internal function – strengthening the regime’s control over loyal social groups.

The distribution of weapons to the population takes place against the backdrop of the economic crisis, sanctions, and political isolation of Venezuela.

Maduro recently called on the Colombian army to support Venezuela in its confrontation with the United States.