Venezuelan official Jorge RodrĂguez announced that 8 million militiamen are preparing to defend the nation amidst ongoing maritime tensions with the U.S. Navy in the Caribbean Sea. The announcement was made via VTV, according to a social media post by user polianalitica on X, occurring within the reporting window of September 13th, 2025, between 8:33 PM and 9:46 PM UTC. RodrĂguez stated that the military deployment is serious, signaling a significant escalation in Venezuela's defensive posture. This development follows previous accusations by Venezuela that a U.S. Navy unit assaulted its fishing boat "Carmen Rosa" in international waters on September 13th, 2025, causing damage. Social media users also alleged that Marines from the USS Jason Dunham assaulted a ship belonging to the Los Soles cartel. In parallel, U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets have been observed moving over Florida en route to Puerto Rico, as part of a deployment. These activities occur in the context of reported missing Venezuelan opposition figure Macario GonzĂĄlez, a member of Popular Will and former mayor of Barquisimeto, whose whereabouts remain unknown since September 13th, 2025.
