CARACAS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Downtown, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifts through Bolivar Square, where the bronze statue of Venezuela's independence hero, Simon Bolivar, glows on horseback in the November sunlight.
Children run around, musicians play, and street vendors are ready for the afternoon rush... these are everyday scenes that seem untouched by the rising tension at sea. Meanwhile, a few hundred kilometers away, multiple U.S. Navy ships have moved into Caribbean waters, a development many Venezuelans view as an escalating threat.
Since early September, U.S. forces have sunk more than 20 alleged drug-trafficking boats, killing over 80 people. Washington framed the operations as counter-narcotics measures, while Caracas said they are geopolitical pressure tactics aimed at destabilizing the country.
CALM AMID RISING TENSION
Across Caracas, the rhythms of daily life continue with surprising steadiness. Supermarkets remain stocked with meat, eggs and other essentials. Prices have remained relatively stable, and shoppers calmly browse through the aisles, showing no signs of panic buying.
Estefania Urbina, owner of a cafe sitting just steps from Bolivar Square, said the past two months have brought tension, but not chaos. Sales at her cafe fell by about one-third between September and October as residents saved money "for whatever might come," she said. Still, she noted, "people didn't rush to buy nervously. They were cautious, but kept moving forward."
By November, business began to pick up. Urbina believes that the country has learned to manage tension without destabilizing daily routines. "Venezuelans are used to advancing even in difficult moments," she said.
For many, the current military tension feels less disruptive than the long-term economic pressure from U.S. sanctions, which have made imports and repairs significantly more expensive. "Our machines are from Italy and Germany; repairs now cost almost three times as much because of the blockade," Urbina said. "But Venezuela keeps going."
READY FOR CONTINGENCIES
In the face of the current threats, local neighborhoods have begun to strengthen their organization. In the Sucre parish of Caracas, community leader Janet Pino said they have been preparing response plans for potential emergencies for months, including mapping out hospitals, schools and food-supply points, and training volunteers as well.
"In my parish alone, there are 64 community kitchens ready for contingencies," Pino said.
Since late August, President Nicolas Maduro has urged civilians to join the Bolivarian militia to defend Venezuela. In early September, the government announced that more than 8 million people had enrolled in the militia or the armed forces reserve. Weekend training sessions, from rifle assembly to logistics, have become routine for many.
Pino and others said the government's call to strengthen territorial defense has resonated deeply, especially among older generations who remember past foreign interventions in the region.
"We are a peaceful revolution, but not a defenseless one," Pino said. "History has shown us what would happen when we are not prepared."
DEFENDING SOVEREIGNTY
For many Venezuelans, the tension with the United States is viewed not just as a current crisis but as part of a longer historical struggle. Resistance is grounded in identity, sovereignty and collective memory, they said.
"We are children of Bolivar," said Luis Mendoza, a militia member from Caracas. "We want peace, but if they attack us, we will defend ourselves. We've resisted for more than 500 years."
Mendoza said preparation does not mean a desire for conflict. "What we want is calm, stability, the chance for our economy to grow," he said. "But sanctions and military pressure push us to be prepared."
Nearby, 66-year-old Gaspar Pinto, a community volunteer, echoed the sentiment. "We fear no one. We are ready to give our lives for our homeland," he said.
At Bolivar Square, former guerrilla fighters meet under a red tent to share stories and welcome new volunteers.
"The movement of the country hasn't been paralyzed by anything," Pinto said. "We live, we work, we train -- always with peace in our hearts, but ready for whatever comes."
In the fading afternoon light, customers stream into Urbina's cafe as she wipes down the counter. She acknowledged the uncertainty and strain, from military tensions offshore to economic pressures at home. But like many in Caracas, she remains optimistic.
"Venezuela will be fine," she said. "We believe that." Enditem
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