Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has announced the mobilization of 4.5 million militiamen in response to US threats to deploy military forces in the Caribbean

Nicolas Maduro has said he will activate a special plan in which 4.5 million militiamen will be mobilized to ensure national security, following threats from the US. It comes after the US announced a doubling of the reward for the capture of Maduro, accused of links to drug trafficking. The militia, founded by Hugo Chavez, is made up of civilians and reservists and is under army command. Maduro has denounced US threats, while US officials confirm the deployment of forces in the region.