Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Monday that he will mobilize 4.5 million militia members in response to perceived threats from the United States. This announcement comes after the U.S. increased the bounty for Maduro's arrest to $50 million and initiated anti-drug operations in the Caribbean.

During a state television broadcast, Maduro stated, "This week, I will activate a special plan with more than 4.5 million militiamen to ensure coverage of the entire national territory — militias that are prepared, activated and armed." The Venezuelan militia, established by Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, is officially reported to have around 5 million members, although the actual number is thought to be lower. Venezuela's population is approximately 30 million.

Maduro criticized the U.S. for what he described as "extravagant, bizarre, and outlandish threats." The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a drug trafficking organization known as the Cartel de los Soles and does not recognize the legitimacy of his last two election victories. In response to these allegations, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Maduro's administration and the cartel last month.

In addition to the bounty, the U.S. military has reportedly deployed several vessels to the southern Caribbean as part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking in Latin America. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello remarked, "We are also deployed throughout the Caribbean…in our sea, our property, Venezuelan territory."

While Maduro did not directly address the recent U.S. actions, he expressed gratitude to those who have shown support against what he termed the "rotten refrain" of threats. He urged his political base to advance the establishment of peasant and worker militias across various industries, declaring, "Rifles and missiles for the peasant force! To defend the territory, sovereignty, and peace of Venezuela."