After Trump threat, Maduro puts Venezuela’s air force on alert; ‘will declare republic in arms…’

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, speaking at the 105th anniversary of the Bolivarian Military Aviation, urges air force officers to stay calm, alert, and ready to defend Venezuela as a “free and sovereign homeland.” He hails the “steel condors” of the air arm, claims sanctions and psychological warfare have only strengthened national unity and readiness, and cites drills like the “Independence 200 Exercises” as proof that over 80% of Venezuelans are prepared to defend the country with weapons in hand.