Venezuela Activates Mass Mobilization as Documents Detail Guerrilla and 'Anarquização' Plans

Overview

• The Defense Ministry ordered a nationwide deployment of troops, militia and weapons, with state TV airing images of movements that past announcements have not always matched on the ground.
• Planning documents and sources describe a 'prolonged resistance' that would disperse small units to more than 280 locations to conduct sabotage and other guerrilla operations.
• A separate 'anarquização' option would task intelligence services and armed pro-government supporters with generating street disorder in Caracas to complicate any foreign presence.
• Internal assessments concede Venezuela could not endure a conventional fight with the United States, citing outdated Russian-made equipment, supply shortages, low pay near US$100 a month and even commanders seeking food from local producers.
• Sources estimate about 60,000 Army and National Guard personnel could be mobilized for guerrilla resistance, while roughly 5,000 to 7,000 people could be involved in 'anarquização', as U.S. forces expand their Caribbean presence and President Trump has floated ground operations before later downplaying strikes.