Nicolás Maduro's regime launched a campaign to form civilian militias following the deployment of U.S. warships in the Caribbean. The intended image—a united and mobilized nation—fell apart at the recruitment centers: short lines, mostly made up of public officials and contractors, and testimonies pointing to workplace pressure to enroll.
"This is just a formality so I don't lose my job," a municipal employee told the Financial Times. Another attendee was even more direct: "If a conflict breaks out, I'm not going to fight."
Sign of weakness: even Maduro's own people don't believe in the national defense he proposes
Beyond the belligerent rhetoric on television, the reality is humiliating for chavismo: when the call touches the core of the common citizen—the personal willingness to take up arms—support deflates.
Volunteers in official t-jerseys and with printed speeches coexisted with an atmosphere of obligation rather than commitment. The images and accounts resemble a theatrical mobilization more than a genuine national defense movement.
Paper militias and controlled exercises
The government showcases grandiose figures—millions of "ready" militiamen—and carries out flashy maneuvers in La Orchila with fighter jets and missiles. But the practical training offered in the drills was limited: recruits moving with unloaded rifles and "mini-courses" on positioning.
