Venezuela Holds Military Exercises While Condemning The U.S. For Extending Its National Emergency On The South American State

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (R) talks to Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez during a military drill in Charallave, Venezuela January 14, 2017. Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS

DW: Venezuela holds military exercises as US extends 'national emergency' order

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has overseen military exercises, claiming the country is under threat of invasion. The US has extended an executive order declaring a national emergency in the South American state.

The exercises have involved more than 76,000 troops and half a million civilians. They have been held across the oil-rich state on land, sea and in the air. On Saturday, the drills included urban defense and protection of coastal oil refineries.

The aim was to resist what the socialist government sees as a US-backed plot to overthrow it. State television showed images of soldiers camoflaged as bushes shouting "socialist fatherland," as their commanders held Russian-made military equipment.

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Update #1: Venezuela's Maduro oversees military drill to guard 'socialist fatherland' -- Reuters
Update #2: Venezuela slams Obama declaration of 'national emergency' -- Washington Post/AP
Update #3: 'Skin in the game': Venezuela's Socialist Party is losing its influence but tightening its grip on power (Business Insider)

WNU Editor: I give it one more year before the country and its government is pushed over the cliff .... and what comes after that is probably not going to be pretty.