Venezuelan authorities have begun deploying weapons, including Russian equipment, and forming units to wage guerrilla warfare or create chaos in the event of an air or ground attack by the United States, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the situation in the country's armed forces.

"Venezuela is deploying weapons—including decades-old Russian equipment—and plans to organize guerrilla resistance or sow chaos in the event of a U.S. air or ground attack," — the material notes.

According to the agency, the strategy includes the deployment of small units in more than 280 locations for sabotage, as well as the use of intelligence services and armed supporters of the ruling party to destabilize Caracas.

The Venezuelan army is significantly inferior to the American in training and equipment, suffering from low wages and supply shortages. Commanders are forced to negotiate with local producers for food supplies.

The escalation is linked to the deployment of a US Navy carrier battle group led by USS Gerald Ford off the coast of Venezuela, ordered by Donald Trump. Caracas previously announced mobilization and the "Independence 2000" plan, and reinforced its air defenses with Buk missile systems. Experts fear that chaos could spread to the region, including Colombian rebels. The opposition accuses Maduro of ties to drug cartels, which Washington is using as a pretext for pressure.