“Every military in the world knows the power of Igla S, and there are more than 5,000 Igla S in Venezuela,” President Maduro said at an event with military officials broadcast by Venezlana de Television (VTV).
The Russian Igla-S missile is a short-range, low-altitude system similar to the American Stinger. It can shoot down not only helicopters and low-flying planes, but also small aerial targets such as cruise missiles and drones.
President Maduro said the missiles were light enough to be carried by a single soldier and were deployed “to the last mountain, the last town, the last city of the territory.”
The United States has dispatched 4,500 Marines and sailors to the Caribbean to strengthen operations against cartels and demonstrate military power. Several deadly attacks were carried out on boats suspected of carrying out drug trafficking off the Caribbean coast.
US lawmakers from both parties have questioned the legality of the attack on the alleged “drug ship.”
President Trump last week said he had authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela and said the United States was considering expanding military operations on the ground as part of a U.S. pressure campaign that officials say is aimed at overthrowing President Maduro.
MNA/