Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has announced the successful completion of the "Independence 200" military exercises, describing them as the most comprehensive in the country's history. The drills involved 200,000 personnel across all military branches, including regular forces, militia, and police, with exercises focusing on command coordination and ballistic missile deployment. Minister Padrino stated these preparations are a direct response to U.S. military deployments in the Caribbean, emphasizing that Venezuela maintains a permanent defensive posture. He reported 90% public support for these measures and reiterated Venezuela's commitment to peace while vowing to defend national sovereignty against any external aggression.
