Hundreds of Venezuelan civilians with no prior military experience are mobilizing into militia units, responding to mounting U.S. pressure and a nationwide call to defend the country.
On Monday, President Nicolas Maduro announced a program to train civilians and establish a Communal Militia Combat Unit to strengthen the country’s defenses against what he called "maximum pressure" from the United States.
The announcement quickly translated into action. Located about 30 minutes from the capital Caracas, a militia training camp hosted over 300 young people on Friday.
Surrounded by mountains and isolated from the city, the camp was a hive of activity as recruits engaged in tactical drills and water-based combat training.
For many of the young recruits, the training is not just about defense, it’s about defending a way of life.
"We want to tell those 'pitiyanquis' that they will not succeed here. The youth are at the forefront of socialism and revolution," said Gerardo Freytez, a militiaman.
"I represent the working class of the country, and we are used to being at the forefront. I also represent the country's combatant groups and we are ready," said Gonzalo Gonzalez, another militiaman.
Venezuelan civilians mobilize as Maduro launches nationwide militia training
Japanese peace activists held an event Sunday in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture of Japan, which focused on reflecting on the history of Japan's war of aggression against China and on peace education, calling on the Japanese public to confront past war crimes and prevent a repeat of tragedy.
The event marked the 20th anniversary of a peace memorial hall of a Japanese civic group -- the Association of Returnees from China. Participants at the event stressed that understanding history is an important prerequisite for preventing the repetition of a historical tragedy.
"The more I hear these experiences from friends of the association, the more I feel that we must truly understand Japan's responsibility as the perpetrator in past wars, and we must never do the same thing again. Moreover, there are now signs that seem to suggest a possible repeat of the past, which really frightens me. I believe this kind of thing must never happen again," a participant said.
"Attempts to remove Japan's history of aggression from textbooks are still ongoing. Successive Japanese governments ruled by Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have pursued a policy of not teaching this history. Parties even more right-wing than the LDP have also emerged recently, and these forces are gaining ground. As they come to hold a majority in the Diet, the constitution is finally on the verge of revision. If that happens, they will use the constitution as a cover to implement conscription and expand military buildup -- in other words, Japan is trying to become a war-perpetrating country once again," another participant said.
Many participants voiced concern over the Japanese government's dangerous moves on historical issues.
"First of all, knowing the facts is very important. Now the Japanese government is doing everything it can to prevent people from learning history, so I think we should start by learning about it. For Japan, the textbook issue remains the most important. The September 18 Incident and the Lugou Bridge Incident were both triggered by pretexts fabricated by Japan, yet Japan claimed at the time that China had launched the attack. Pre-war education instilled these ideas. However, these incidents were planned by Japan. Post-war generations knew this, but pre-war Japanese did not. So I think it is entirely possible for such a situation to occur again today," a participant said.
Another participant said, "Understanding Japan's past history of aggression is very important -- an issue Japanese people must further understand. Japan must never forget what it once did to China. China never attacked Japan. I think these things are probably not taught in schools. And even when I was in school, they were barely covered. Now it seems they are not taught at all. Even the term 'Nanjing Massacre' was never properly taught. I feel Japan has never truly reflected on its past. So the responsibility for problems between Japan and China lies entirely with Japan."
The Japanese civic group "Association of Returnees from China" was founded decades ago by Japanese war criminals who were released back to Japan under lenient treatment by the Chinese government, with the aim of contributing to peace and Japan-China friendship.
In 2002, the association was dissolved due to the aging of its members. But the "Continuing the Miracle of Fushun Society" was later founded by the younger generation to carry on the unfinished cause of peace.
Japanese peace activists call for confronting wartime past to prevent another tragedy
