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CARACAS, VENEZUELA - AUG. 23, 2025: Hundreds of Venezuelans have volunteered to join the country’s Bolivarian National Militia, on Saturday, Aug. 23, following a call by President Nicolas Maduro in response to the United States deploying three warships to the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela.Registration for the Bolivarian National Militia is continuing in several states, including the capital Caracas, Tachira, Vargas, Merida, Trujillo, Barinas, Delta Amacuro, and Zulia.While officially part of the Venezuelan armed forces, the militia is largely composed of civilian volunteers and is considered an auxiliary force. Its mission is defined as strengthening national defense, ensuring social mobilization, and supporting the armed forces when required.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has condemned the deployment of three US warships near his country’s coast, describing the move as an “illegal” attempt to overthrow his government."What they're threatening to do against Venezuela — government change, a military terrorist attack — is immoral, criminal and illegal," Maduro told lawmakers on Friday.According to reports, the US Navy this week sent three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers to international waters close to Venezuela while American media said as many as 4,000 marines could also be deployed."This is a matter of peace, of international law, for Latin America and the Caribbean. Anyone who commits an act of aggression against a country in Latin America is attacking all countries," Maduro said.Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for using military force against drug cartels in Latin America. Washington also doubled the reward for Maduro's arrest to $50 million over drug trafficking charges.(Footage by Julio Alexander Urribarri Hidalgo /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)