Military training for public amid US threat

Venezuela on Saturday organised a day of military training for civilians in response to the US deployment in the Caribbean, and amid new threats from President Donald Trump.

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Nearly a month ago, Washington deployed warships to international waters off Venezuela's coast, backed by F-35 fighters sent to Puerto Rico in what it calls an anti-drug operation.

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez has accused Washington of waging “undeclared war” in the Caribbean, after US strikes killed a dozen alleged drug traffickers off his country’s coast.

Caracas also accused the United States of seeking regime change and stealing its oil and other resources.

In the crammed Petare neighbour-hood of Caracas, the main avenue was shut down for a day of mini-courses about weapons handling and other “revolutionary resistance” tactics.

“I'm here to learn what I need to learn to defend what is really important to me: my country, my homeland, my nation, Venezuela,” said Luzbi Monter-ola, a 38-year-old office worker.