Venezuelans flocked to various designated points across the country to enlist in the ranks of the Bolivarian Militia this Friday, August 29, and Saturday, August 30, nationwide.Since early hours on Friday, young people, workers, and various sectors of the country have enlisted with joy and patriotism to commit to joining in the defense of national sovereignty.The majority of attendees express their firm repudiation of US invasion threats and the destabilization narratives promoted by the far right through their media campaigns.For this new enlistment drive, the Bolivarian Militia set up approximately a thousand points in the Bolívar squares and other emblematic spaces in cities throughout the country as part of the National Plan for Sovereignty and Peace, with the support of regional leaders, military authorities, and community organizations.CNE: People’s will must be respectedThe members of the National Electoral Council (CNE) joined the Simón Bolívar National Plan for Sovereignty and Peace at the Bolívar Square in Caracas.The president of the National Electoral Council, Elvis Amoroso, said, “We are in the streets, firmly demonstrating that the will of the Venezuelan people must be respected.”“We are building peace in democracy, but we must be vigilant in all circumstances to defend our country, its territorial integrity, and all that we inherited from our liberators,” he added.CNE Vice President Carlos Quintero said that the Venezuelan people are sending a message of unity to guarantee the integrity of Venezuela.He called on all Venezuelans to unite in efforts for peace.40 enlistment centers set up in CaracasThe mayor of Caracas, Carmen Meléndez, announced that 40 enlistment centers have been set up across the 22 parishes of the capital city, and that they are all crowded with Venezuelans who are joining voluntarily to ensure the defense of the homeland.Among the 40 enlistment centers are the Cuartel de la Montaña, the Bolivarian National Guard in El Paraíso, the Plaza Bolívar de Coche, El Valle, and 23 de Enero.At the enlistment center in the Bolívar Square in the Cathedral parish, Meléndez said that this event represents “a celebration for the defense of the homeland.”She urged all citizens to participate in the enlistment drive. “Come get prepared for the homeland, for Venezuela, for peace, sovereignty, and independence,” she said.“We are free, sovereign, and independent. In these moments of threats and aggression from the empire, we tell the world that here we are, all of us who love the homeland, irrespective of political color, Venezuela is respected and defended,” she stated.Meléndez highlighted the attendance and commitment that the Venezuelan people have shown at the enlistment points in defense of love and respect for their country.“We are preparing under the tricolor of Venezuela, one flag for all,” said the mayor of Caracas.Venezuelans join militia enlistment drive.Ministry of Agriculture prepares in defense of the homelandThe minister of Productive Agriculture and Lands, Julio León Heredia, participated with the workers of his ministry at the enlistment center in Bolívar Square, Caracas.Heredia reported that over 1,500 workers from his institution have enlisted in the second round of the enlistment drive.He added that producers and farmers play a fundamental role in the economic, productive, and historical development of the nation.National electricity supplier joins enlistment drive in ChacaoThe workers of the National Electric Corporation (CORPOELEC) reaffirmed their commitment to territorial defense, joining the great mobilization of the Bolivarian Militia.At the Bolívar Square in Chacao, in the state of Miranda, CORPOELEC workers joined the enlistment in response to external threats against the peace and sovereignty of Venezuela.According to Jacinto Montilla, representative of the Productive Councils of Workers of CORPOELEC in the Altos Mirandinos, getting prepared in the militia is a patriotic commitment.“I prepare myself because there is a need for our country to strengthen and move forward. I prepare and support our commander and president Nicolás Maduro, because he is at the helm, steering our country,” he said.María Vernieri, head of the Training Coordination Division of CORPOELEC, stated that enlisting “is a historical commitment we Venezuelans have. Today, the homeland is threatened by imperialism, and for that reason, we are willing to defend our homeland for life, for family. Venezuela deserves respect.”Presidential guard calls upon the nation to defend the homelandMembers of the Presidential Honor Guard called upon the nation “to join this democratic process in defense of the homeland of Bolívar.”Marcela Ojeda, member of the Presidential Honor Guard, invited everyone, and especially women soldiers, to join this great patriotic celebration. “Get ready, it is not just about defending a territory, it is about defending our home, our community, our neighborhoods, our relatives, children, and grandchildren. Come and get ready,” she stated.Members of the Presidential Honor Guard Brigade of Caracas emphasized their readiness for any eventuality that might put the country and the Venezuelan people at risk.Cuban Analysts: US Military Threat in the Caribbean May Have Unpredictable ConsequencesPeople in Sucre enlist massivelyThe inhabitants of the 22 parishes of Caracas went to the registration points set up for enlistment in the Bolivarian Militia.In the Sucre parish, community leader Mirla Martínez reported that the participation has been remarkable.“We are at the forefront, ready for whatever comes. We have faced many problems, the blockade, the economic war. We continue to resist,” she expressed.Mirla Martínez said that she is responding to the president’s call. “We are in the fight and we are not going to back down,” she added.Mariana Contreras, a community member, said, “Venezuela is free and sovereign.”ALBA-TCP executive secretary: the people are mobilizedThe executive secretary of ALBA-TPC and deputy minister for Latin America of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Rander Peña, also responded to the call for readiness, accompanied by the ministry’s workers.At the enlistment center in Cathedral parish, he highlighted that the people are mobilized to protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity.“We have formed a body of fighters, joining what has been a Bolivarian, patriotic call,” he said. “The threat to peace in Venezuela and Latin America is a reality, and the peoples of the world have seen this. We have had weeks where movements of solidarity, political parties, and various expressions of solidarity have manifested in support of peace and the Bolivarian project.”He repudiated the statements made by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, putting a price on President Nicolás Maduro’s head, as well as the unfounded claims of the US government linking the head of the Venezuelan state to drug trafficking.“The US has announced a military deployment,” he pointed out. “It is not possible for nuclear submarines to bring peace to a region that has declared itself a zone of peace. It is not true that a nuclear submarine intends to combat drug trafficking. It is disproportionate, and our people know that. It is like sending a Sukhoi to stop a robbery at a street corner. No one believes it, but this is the façade that they created to try to intimidate the Venezuelan people.”He said that Venezuela has received global solidarity, and a major event is to take place in several cities around the world in support of Venezuela and its government on Saturday, August 30.He called on all sectors of the country to join the event under the slogan: “Venezuela is not a threat, it is a hope.” (Últimas Noticias)Translation: Orinoco TribuneOT/SC/SF