Venezuela's National Assembly is debating a new "Integral Defense of the Nation" law that formalizes the military-civilian union under the Independence 200 defense plan. During the session, Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez read a statement from Russia's State Duma condemning U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean and expressing solidarity with Venezuela. The legislation establishes defense committees across all sectors and confirms the president's authority as commander-in-chief over all defense organs. The move comes amid escalating tensions with the United States, which Venezuela accuses of using anti-drug operations as pretext for regime change and resource exploitation.
