Reuters Venezuela’s military is significantly weaker than the US military due to a lack of training, low wages, and outdated equipment, making defections likely in the event of an attack. The country plans a guerrilla-style resistance involving sabotage and creating chaos, with intelligence services and armed supporters to make the capital ungovernable. Allegations of ties between the Venezuelan military and drug trafficking groups exist, though the government denies them.

• Venezuelan military is weakened by lack of training, low wages, and decaying equipment.
• Rank-and-file soldiers earn low wages, insufficient for basic needs.
• Defections are expected to increase if the US military attacks.
• Troops’ recent experience has been confronting unarmed civilians.
• Venezuela plans a guerrilla-style resistance with sabotage and chaos.
• A second strategy, ‘anarquization,’ aims to create disorder using intelligence services and armed supporters.
• Venezuelan opposition, NGOs, and other governments accuse Maduro and the military of ties to drug trafficking.
• The government denies these links and accuses the US of seeking regime change for oil reserves.