A man takes a photo at the Caracas Military History Museum on Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela. Thousands of pro-Chavez motorcyclists rode through several streets in Caracas in support of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and against what they described as threats from the United States, given the country's recent proposal to deploy ships near the Caribbean under the guise of combating drug trafficking. EFE/ Miguel Gutiérrez

Amid the unprecedented US deployment in the Caribbean, the Maduro regime is digging in, positioning troops on the borders and calling on the population to enlist in the military. Nicolás Maduro is also testing and insisting on the loyalty of his close collaborators.

Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior, and Vladimir Padrino López, Minister of Defense, are sending messages in front of television cameras affirming the"solidity" of the regime's structure, as are other figures of the"revolution."

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So far, everything has been media-driven – one of the specialties of Chavismo and Madurismo – showing off military “strength” through simulations of military courses, as well as young people singing slogans against the United States in squares.

“Listen, pitiyanqui, to what I’m going to tell you: you’re not going to intervene in my country. Listen, my friend, we’re ready, we’re the youth, we’re waiting for you,” goes one of the chants that a group of young people repeated in downtown Caracas last week.

But not everyone is convinced by what they’re singing, just as not everyone who enlisted in the military did so voluntarily.

“What motivated you to come and sign up for enlistment?” EL TIEMPO asked a group of young people who were waiting in line to be registered by the militiamen on a paper form in Caracas’s Plaza Bolívar.

There was no response. Just a couple of knowing chuckles and a comment:"It's better not to comment."

They were asked if they were obligated and they nodded in the affirmative.

People participate in a militia enlistment campaign this Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela. Thousands of pro-Chavez motorcyclists rode through several streets in Caracas in support of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and against what they described as threats from the United States, given the country's recent proposal to deploy ships near the Caribbean under the guise of combating drug trafficking. EFE/ Miguel Gutiérrez

Most of the attendees were retirees, pensioners, and public institution workers."Our bosses told us it was mandatory to come," said a man who preferred to remain anonymous.

However, there were those who were convinced of what they were doing. Holding a Venezuelan flag, Aura Rodríguez, an elderly woman, told this newspaper: “My health was failing, which is why I didn't come, but here I am. We are in the fight; we can defeat all our opponents; that's who we Venezuelans are.”

For Maduro, the militia's support is important. He claims they number more than 4.5 million. However, he has also called on the United Nations to intervene following the"unprecedented" deployment of US ships, as he stated in a letter sent to the UN's Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.