Charallave, Venezuela
Venezuela last week began training ordinary civilians to fight a “war of resistance,” in case the country is invaded by the United States. Some 900 men and women signed up for a 20-week Territorial Guard boot camp, where they will learn to defend themselves and their communities if America attacks—a scenario the U.S. says is ridiculous. “Kill the gringo!” a soldier shouted at a trainee butting a straw figure with a rifle. “That gringo is taking away your women!” Besides the Territorial Guard, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has called for an Army Reserve of 1 million fighters.
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