Venezuela on Saturday organized a nationwide military training program for the public, dispatching soldiers to more than 5,300 communities across the country to conduct basic military skills training amid escalating tensions with the United States in the Caribbean. The United States has deployed several naval warships in the Caribbean Sea near the waters of Venezuela under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking networks in Latin America, leading to continued tensions between the two countries. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday said the program was one of the actions taken by the country in response to the U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean and to safeguard peace and sovereignty. The program not only consolidated the unity between the army and the people, but also enabled the Venezuelan people to complete tactical preparations, according to Maduro. "All issues should be resolved through politics and dialogue, rather than resorting to force or imposing will. Therefore, we will absolutely not allow the United States to infringe upon or interfere with us," said Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Venezuelan defense minister. "We declare this to the world that Venezuela deserves respect. We are not, and will never be, a colony of any empire, nor will we allow anyone to trample on Venezuela's sovereignty," said Cortez, a local resident. SHOTLIST: Caracas, Venezuela - Sept 20, 2025 1. Various of military training for public in progress; officer speaking, residents listening; 2. Various of military training for public in progress, residents learning how to handle weapons, reading map; 3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Venezuelan defense minister: "All issues should be resolved through politics and dialogue, rather than resorting to force or imposing will. Therefore, we will absolutely not allow the United States to infringe upon or interfere with us."; 4. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Cortez, local resident (full name not given): "We declare this to the world that Venezuela deserves respect. We are not, and will never be, a colony of any empire, nor will we allow anyone to trample on Venezuela's sovereignty."; 5. Various of military vehicles moving. {Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]