Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba
Al-Nunu: Today, the lists of prisoners required to be released, the agreed-upon criteria and numbers, were exchanged
Al-Nunu from Sharm el-Sheikh: Negotiations focused on mechanisms for implementing an end to the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners

Venezuela launches military exercises to bolster national defense

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Jan 2025 08:46
3 Min Read

The event, which marked its 10th consecutive year, was inaugurated by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the High Military Command, including Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

Listen
  • x
  • Venezuelan Armed Forces begin Bolivarian Shield Exercise 2025. (@telesurenglish/ X)
    Venezuelan Armed Forces at Bolivarian Shield Exercise 2025 (@telesurenglish/ X)

Venezuela initiated the Bolivarian Shield 2025 military exercises to prepare civilian, police, and military forces for national defense.

The event, which marked its 10th consecutive year, was inaugurated by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the High Military Command, including Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez. The drills involved deploying 159 naval vessels, 50 aircraft, 250 armored vehicles, and 150,000 personnel in 290 targeted exercises.

"Our constitutional mission is to prepare ourselves. These exercises demonstrate civic-police fusion and deploy us across all levels and systems of territorial organization," stated Gen. Domingo Hernandez, Operational Strategic Commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).

Key objectives of Bolivarian Shield 2025

For his part, Maduro said, "This must be the most comprehensive and perfect exercise in terms of territorial defense. If you want peace, prepare to defend and build it." He elaborated on the role of the Integral Defense Directional Organs (ODDI), which are activated in communities and states nationwide.

The Venezuelan president outlined the key objectives of Bolivarian Shield 2025, starting with securing full control over national territory to counter threats from transnational far-right groups.

"We have successfully dismantled these criminal groups at their root. With few exceptions in isolated areas, these groups have been defeated and eradicated," he noted.

Another priority, as per Maduro, is protecting maritime, aerospace, and terrestrial borders, particularly with Colombia, where transnational groups have attempted to infiltrate.

Related News

Maduro vows Venezuela is 'impenetrable' as US warships near Caribbean

The Venezuelan president highlighted recent calls from former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe for international military intervention against Venezuela, emphasizing the need to safeguard sovereignty.

"Sovereignty that is not exercised over the territory is sovereignty lost in practice. Neglecting this task would allow the entry of terrorist and violent groups into the country," Maduro added.

Additionally, the drills focus on defending vital infrastructure, including communication routes, airports, hospitals, and urban areas, according to the Venezuelan president.

He also stressed that the goal is to ensure a rapid, integrated response to threats against national peace.

The big picture 

Venezuela has also established a humanitarian corridor along its border with Colombia to assist victims of violence stemming from clashes between the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the remnants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

As part of Operation Mercury, 680 personnel from the Armed Forces, Police, Civil Protection, and Firefighters were mobilized in Zulia state. At Catatumbo Airport, the Simon Bolívar Humanitarian Task Force was trained to intercept potential threats disguised as humanitarian aid.

In La Guajira, military exercises showcased the capacity to defend aquatic, aerial, and terrestrial spaces using layered strategies.

President Maduro reiterated Venezuela’s commitment to peace and solidarity with displaced Colombians, noting that six million have been welcomed over the years.

"We remain vigilant. Due to Colombia’s internal conflict, over 30,000 displaced people have arrived in our territory, and we have provided them with humanitarian assistance," stated Tachira Governor Freddy Bernal.

It is worth noting that the drills also highlighted the morale, cohesion, and patriotism of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces.

  • Bolivarian Shield 2025
  • Venezuela
  • Nicolas Maduro
  • Military exercises

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
Al-Quds Brigades strike a command and control center north of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, in an undated screengrab from the al-Quds Brigades military media

Gaza resistance announces major operations against Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Retired Israeli General Brik says Israel has reached point of no return.
Politics

Retired Israeli General Brik: 'Israel has reached point of no return'

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation
Politics

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation

Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
Health

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls
Politics

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS