Hundreds of Venezuelans lined up Saturday at plazas and military posts across the country after President Nicolás Maduro called on citizens to enlist and help with security duties.

The campaign comes as three U.S. warships move toward the Caribbean, part of an anti-narcotics operation announced by the Trump administration.

U.S. officials have not given a precise arrival date, saying the ships could take months to reach the area, though some expect they could be closer within days.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez appeared at one of the enlistment sites, greeting civilians waiting to sign up.

"All of us, with one fist, to defend ourselves from imperialist aggression against Venezuela. They think we are savages; they see us as primitives without the ability to reason or think." said Padrino Lopez.

"Let us heed the call made by our commander-in-chief, President Nicolás Maduro Moros."

Earlier this month, Washington doubled its bounty for Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of “narcoterrorism” and seeking his arrest.

The U.S. also announced the seizure of roughly $700 million in assets tied to the Venezuelan government, escalating tensions between the two countries.

Venezuela’s civilian militias were created by the late President Hugo Chávez to integrate volunteers into national defense efforts.

Members receive military training and often participate in large-scale exercises.

AP Video shot by Andry Rincón