Venezuela and America have deployed missiles against each other.
America and Venezuela have now come face to face. Both have deployed war fleets and missiles against each other. With Trump coming to power, US relations with Venezuela started deteriorating and are continuously deteriorating. Now America has also sent its largest fleet, while the Venezuelan President has publicly announced to deploy five thousand missiles. In recent days, American soldiers have attacked several Venezuelan boats on charges of drug smuggling. In this, information is coming out that more than three dozen people have been killed and many boats have been completely destroyed.
Trump is so angry with Venezuela that he has placed a bounty of $25 million on President Maduro. Meaning, it is clear that all this is not just fluff. In such a situation, it has become important to know where Venezuela stands in the situation of war with America? Which countries have been providing him weapons? How hi-tech is this? We will also try to solve some other questions related to this.
Who supplies weapons to Venezuela?
Venezuela’s largest military partners in the present and past decades have been Russia, China and Iran. The history of Russian-Venezuelan relations is deeply intertwined. Russia has sent large packages of tanks, fighter aircraft, air defense systems and ground weapons. Along with this, Russia has also made big loans and industrial agreements with this country over the years.
China has also supplied non-lethal and internal-security equipment as well as some military material. Media reports have described China as an important military supplier since 2010. Military-technical cooperation with Iran has particularly manifested in the exchange of drone and ballistic missile-related capabilities. In some reports, there has also been talk of transfer of drone and missile technology from Iran.
It is claimed that Venezuela has also taken drone and missile technology from Iran. Photo: Ivan McGregor/Anadolu via Getty Images
How many high-tech weapons does Venezuela have?
Venezuela has some modern and dangerous equipment available. There are also Russian Sazan (Su-30) type fighters, air defense systems such as the S 300, tanks (T 72 class) and missile and rocket launchers of various calibers. Experts say that the number of devices available on paper and the actual operational capacity may be different. Economic collapse, lack of maintenance, and spare parts have affected Venezuelan deployments and operations. Although the stock has increased due to some recent deals and industrial cooperation, it can be formally said that Venezuela has a limited number of high-tech effective systems, so it would be impossible and suicidal to directly confront America’s military options.
Media reports say that Venezuela has also taken drone and missile technology from Iran. If true, then Venezuela’s capacity may increase to some extent. Especially in low cost effective drone attacks. Nevertheless, long-range strategic capabilities (such as intercontinental strikes) appear not to be practically available to Venezuela.
Venezuela has Russian Su-30 type fighters and air defense systems like S 300. Photo: Jesus Vargas/Getty Images
Has America launched its largest fleet?
In recent months, there has been an increase in the deployment of US naval and air force personnel in the Caribbean. Which includes the deployment of large carrier groups on the flag. Several international media reports state that the US has deployed its aircraft carrier strike group and other warships near the Caribbean.
America has called this step a strong step against narco-traffic and transnational criminal networks. US statements often state that the operation is aimed at stopping drug cartels and illegal activities along the coastline, but the scale of the deployment and the accompanying air/sea operations have escalated tensions.
Venezuelan President Maduro and American President Trump are openly using operational rights in strong words. Ivan McGregor/Anadolu via Getty Images
Some other controversies have also come to light
It has also been controversial at the legal and political level as questions have been raised over the legality of some of the recent attacks and the evidence available on them. Still, the possibility of the two countries coming face to face directly is very less. Because the attack will have huge political, economic and military consequences. But the possibility of a small armed offensive or limited operation still remains. Especially when the Presidents of both the countries are openly using operational powers in strong words. The army is taking action as per the intentions of the respective heads of state.
Why is America so angry with Venezuela?
The US administration has linked Venezuela to some criminal networks and cartels. This logic became the main reason for American pressure and hunting. Washington has long objected to the electoral legitimacy, human rights violations and dictatorial actions of the Nicolas Maduro regime. This increased political distance and restrictions. Venezuela’s growing ties with Russia, China and Iran pose a challenge to America’s strategy. From a geographical point of view, it is also considered a sign of entry of an opposing power into the Western Hemisphere. There are also conflicts over oil, property and international financial transactions, especially as Russia and China are sometimes seen as emerging alternatives to Washington.
real danger
In the current crisis there is a mixture of both reality and propaganda. Venezuela has some modern weapons and has been receiving help from strategic partners, but its overall military capabilities are inadequate and inaccessible for a direct war with a superpower like the United States. On the other hand, due to large military deployment, border crossings and increasing tension, the possibility of limited military clashes still remains. Peaceful resolution of the issue is possible only through diplomacy, regional dialogue and transparency. False rumors and exaggeration can cause great destruction later. It will be interesting to see how far the American President, who failed in his attempt to become the messiah of peace, goes in this matter?
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