Nov. 12 (UPI) -- President Nicolás Maduro announced activation of a "higher phase" of the Independence Plan 200, a program of joint civilian-military exercises designed to test Venezuela's ability to respond to external threats.
The deployment includes the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, or FANB, the Bolivarian Militia and police units across all states, with a focus on Apure, Cojedes, Carabobo and the capital region, TeleSURTV reported.
The measure, announced Tuesday by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, aims to "strengthen territorial defense and enhance operational readiness" amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean.
Activation of this "higher phase" coincides with the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the region under the U.S. Southern Command.
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