Due to threat from the United States, Venezuela holds military exercises in the Caribbean

(Patria) - Venezuela announced on Wednesday that it has begun three-day military exercises on its Caribbean island of La Orchila, as tensions rise amid US military activity in the region, AFP reported.

Forces deployed for what Washington called an anti-drug operation blew up at least two Venezuelan ships and a total of fourteen people who allegedly transported drugs across the Caribbean this month, which United Nations experts called an "extrajudicial execution".

The attacks and deployment of US warships in the region have fueled fears of an invasion of Venezuela, whose president Nicolas Maduro is accused by Washington of being a cartel leader. The exercise ordered by Maduro as supreme commander is called "Sovereign Caribbean", said Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez on Wednesday.

"Anti-aircraft defense with armed drones, surveillance drones, submarine drones will be deployed... We will implement electronic warfare actions," he added, citing the "threatening, vulgar voice" of the United States.

Public television showed footage of amphibious vessels and warships deployed off La Orchila, where Venezuela has a military base.

The armed forces announced that 12 ships, 22 aircraft and 20 small boats of the "Special Naval Militia" will participate in the exercises.

The island of La Orchila is located near an area where the United States intercepted and held a Venezuelan fishing boat for eight hours over the weekend.

Maduro, whose last two elections were not recognized by the United States and many other countries, vowed that Caracas would defend itself against what he called US "aggression" against his country.

Washington is offering a fifty million dollar reward for the arrest of Maduro, who faces drug trafficking charges.

"Who saw the drugs?"

Venezuela has called for an investigation into the US attack on an alleged drug ship earlier this month in which eleven people were killed.

It was one of three Venezuelan ships that US President Donald Trump said his country had "destroyed" without providing details.

"It is not known, because they say it was carrying drugs, but who saw the drugs?" said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello earlier on Wednesday, claiming that Venezuela is tightening its anti-narcotics measures.

Cabello told reporters that officials have seized over 60 tons of drugs so far this year.

"This is the largest amount seized since 2010," said Cabello, who, like Maduro and other high-ranking officials, is under US sanctions.

Trump justified taking military action by saying that "violent drug trafficking cartels REPRESENT A THREAT to US national security, foreign policy, and vital US interests".

The US government released video footage of two attacks on ships and claims to have irrefutable evidence that the people killed were human traffickers heading to the United States. It did not provide details to support these claims.

Drug trafficking is not punishable by death under US law.
Caracas has consistently denied being a hub for illegal trade.