Venezuela is quietly preparing for the possibility of a confrontation with the United States. But unlike most countries that rely on modern military power, Venezuela’s strategy is unconventional, focusing on guerrilla-style warfare, street chaos, and decades-old weapons.

Leaked planning documents reviewed by Reuters reveal that Venezuela acknowledges it cannot match the U.S. military head-on. 

In response, President Nicolás Maduro’s government has devised two main strategies: a “prolonged resistance” guerrilla plan and a street-level chaos operation, internally called “anarchisation.”

The prolonged resistance plan involves small military units stationed across more than 280 locations in Venezuela. These units are expected to carry out sabotage, hit-and-run attacks, and other guerrilla tactics if foreign forces invade.

In parallel, the anarchisation strategy would see intelligence officers and armed loyalists creating chaos in major cities, especially Caracas, aiming to make the country ungovernable for any invading force.

Venezuela’s military reality, however, is stark. Analysts note that the country’s armed forces are severely weakened by poor training, low salaries, and outdated equipment. Many soldiers earn only around $100 per month, far below the $500 needed for basic sustenance. Training is limited, with many troops focused on crowd control rather than modern combat.

The country has about 20 Sukhoi fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, and anti-aircraft missiles, but most of these are outdated and would struggle against U.S. forces. Even the 5,000 Igla-S handheld missiles deployed are decades old. 

Russia has offered support in repairing and upgrading some equipment but has cautioned against further escalation.

Despite these limitations, Maduro insists that Venezuela will resist. He claims the U.S., under President Donald Trump, intends to remove him from power. 

Government officials publicly downplay fears of an attack, portraying the armed forces as heirs to independence hero Simón Bolívar and insisting that they are ready for any challenge. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello has mocked the idea that foreign bombings could topple the nation.

Still, insiders admit that Venezuela stands little chance in a conventional war. One source said bluntly, “We wouldn’t last two hours,” while another noted that the country is not professionally equipped to face a power like the United States. 

Even so, the government has mobilized around 60,000 soldiers and National Guard members for the guerrilla plan, with a smaller core of 5,000–7,000 civilians ready for street-level resistance.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has already targeted vessels allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, but tankers transporting Venezuelan oil under sanctions continue to navigate Caribbean waters largely unchallenged. Maduro claims that this U.S. military presence is not about drugs, but a plot to overthrow him and seize Venezuela’s oil.

Venezuela’s approach highlights a grim reality: the country cannot compete in traditional warfare but is willing to rely on unconventional tactics, citizen militias, and street chaos to survive. 

It’s a high-stakes gamble in a tense standoff with one of the world’s most powerful militaries, and the world is watching closely to see how far Caracas is willing to go.