Venezuela is preparing for a possible U.S. military attack by deploying old Russian-made weapons and planning unconventional defense tactics, including guerrilla-style warfare and organized street unrest, according to planning documents and sources familiar with the government’s strategy, Reuters reported.
The plans, which officials describe as “prolonged resistance,” reflect a tacit acknowledgment of the country’s severe military shortages — from outdated equipment to low troop morale and poor supplies.
Sources said President Nicolás Maduro’s government has drafted two main strategies. The first involves small, mobile military units across more than 280 locations engaging in sabotage and guerrilla operations. The second, called “anarchization,” would see intelligence operatives and armed government supporters deliberately create disorder in major cities like Caracas, making them ungovernable for foreign forces.
One source close to the government admitted, “We wouldn’t last two hours in a conventional war,” underscoring the disparity between Venezuela’s weakened forces and the U.S. military, which has increased operations in the Caribbean.
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at possible ground operations following strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels but later denied plans for attacks inside Venezuela.
Despite public displays of unity and strength, Venezuela’s armed forces are struggling. Many soldiers earn about $100 a month, far below the cost of basic living expenses, and some commanders have had to barter with local farmers to feed their troops.
Maduro maintains loyalty by giving senior officers political roles and state-run company positions. However, insiders warn that desertions could surge in the event of an invasion.
Maduro claims 8 million civilians are training in militias, though security experts estimate only 5,000 to 7,000 would participate in any real resistance campaign. Venezuela’s formal forces — including the army and National Guard — number around 60,000, according to sources.
Most of Venezuela’s weaponry — including Sukhoi fighter jets, tanks, and Igla-S shoulder-fired missiles — dates back decades. Although Caracas has appealed to Moscow for repairs and radar upgrades, the equipment is considered obsolete compared to U.S. technology.
Russia recently pledged to “respond to Venezuela’s requests for assistance” while urging restraint amid escalating tensions.
Maduro, meanwhile, has used national broadcasts to display military assets and emphasize defiance. “The aggression will be responded to with national unity,” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said, while Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello mocked the idea of a U.S. invasion.
Analysts say Maduro’s messaging is less about genuine defense capability and more about deterrence.
“The underlying message isn’t actual military strength but the threat of chaos — that weapons could end up in the hands of guerrillas or paramilitary groups if Venezuela is attacked,” said Andrei Serbin Pont, a defense analyst.
For now, Venezuela’s preparations — documented in military manuals dating as far back as 2012 — appear to focus on survival, disruption, and symbolism rather than conventional defense.
