Maduro announces military will train community members in the use of firearms

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Thursday that he will send military personnel to popular neighborhoods for training on the use of firearms by the population, amidst escalating tensions with the United States following the dispatch of warships to the Caribbean. In the midst of a military crisis with the US, Venezuela approves a ‘strategic partnership treaty’ with Russia. Internal repression: NGO denounces increased repression and disappearance of political prisoners in Venezuela amidst US pressure. Maduro, who accuses Washington of plans to invade the country, called upon the volunteers appointed by the militia – a civilian armed body – two weeks ago to train in barracks. ‘Next Saturday, September 20, the barracks, the Bolivarian Armed Forces, will go to the people, to communities, to review and teach all those who have enlisted, neighbors, about firearms handling,’ he said during an official ceremony broadcast on state TV channel VTV.