Dear readers, It is not a surprise by now that, given the last events, those fearing the consequences of an intervention are looking to go underground, believing that a Hellfire or some other advanced tech is going to be deployed over their heads. Hard to believe that this expense is going to be approved, when it would be much cheaper, perhaps less risky (and practical) to siege the place until the other uniforms wrap them like a salami and submit them to the authorities for extraction, in exchange for immunity.  Gladly, I am already in a secluded, very far away bordertown, thanks to my son´s mother’s extended family paying for our bus tickets. Leaving the country from here if things get hairy is going to be much easier. The only caveat is the kid´s school. But we are managing that by now.   In late September 2025, the bus driver Nicolás Maduro signed a controversial legal instrument known as the “Decree of External Commotion,” a constitutional mechanism that grants the executive branch sweeping powers under the pretext of defending the nation against an imminent foreign threat—specifically, the United States. While the decree is framed as a defensive measure, its opaque rollout, lack of public disclosure, and internal leaks suggest a far more troubling and shady reality: the regime is preparing for urban warfare by quietly occupying and repurposing civilian buildings with underground facilities to resist a potential U.S. military intervention. According to statements from Vice President D. Rodríguez, the decree is a constitutional response to what the government calls “aggressions” from Washington. These include the deployment of U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean, which the Maduro administration claims are part of a broader regime-change strategy. The decree, she explained, “would only be activated in the event of a direct military attack, and would allow the president to mobilize the armed forces, take control of public services, seize strategic industries, and implement emergency security plans across the country”. Including closing the borders, something I already had predicted that would happen sooner or later, and the main reason to flee in 2017. The good thing is that I now have a plan B and can head out without any issues. That will not be disclosed here for the moment.  Rodríguez emphasized that the decree is grounded in Article 236 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which outlines the president’s powers during states of exception. She also warned that any individual who “promotes or facilitates military aggression against Venezuela” (which means every Venezuelan against the Cartel) would be prosecuted under national law, meaning that they believe that under that “decree,” they will have freedom to stomp over the human rights of the civilians . The rhetoric is familiar: a mix of nationalist defiance, anti-imperialist sentiment, and the desperate need of some sort of legal justification for extraordinary measures. Mind you, they don´t have any legal authority. They were not elected. The Reality: A Legal Black Box Despite the public fanfare, the actual content of the decree remains unpublished. Legal experts and civil society organizations have raised alarms about the lack of transparency. The NGO “Acceso a la Justicia” has called for the immediate release of the decree’s full text, noting that any state of exception implies the restriction of constitutional rights and must be subject to public scrutiny. The government’s refusal to publish the decree in the Gaceta Oficial—the country’s legal bulletin—has fueled speculation that its true scope goes far beyond what has been publicly acknowledged. The process of consultation, announced by Maduro during his weekly television program, has been described by observers as “performative,” with no clear mechanisms for citizen input or institutional oversight. Remember to check this link, as it is the confirmation for the reason of this article. From a websites (banned in Venezuela), we translate this information: “The head of state could also close land, sea, and air borders, in addition to “activating all kinds of economic, political, and social plans” to “guarantee national life,” said Rodríguez during a meeting with representatives from various sectors and the diplomatic corps.” Source: Implications of the decree of internal commotion What they are really planning with the “activation of plans” is scary for those of us who know what they are capable of. Enough with the context. Let´s analyze now the consequences. Leaked Intelligence: Civilian Buildings Targeted for Military Use While the official narrative centers on national defense, leaked internal communications from sources within the Venezuelan security apparatus suggest a more clandestine objective: the occupation and militarization of civilian buildings with subterranean infrastructure. These include residential complexes, commercial centers, and even cultural institutions with basements, bunkers, or underground parking facilities. According to the leaks, the regime has identified dozens of such structures in Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia, and other major cities. The criterias for selection seem to include: – Proximity to strategic roads and communication hubs   – Presence of reinforced concrete and steel architecture   – Existing underground chambers or storage areas   – Low visibility from aerial surveillance   The goal, reportedly, is to convert these buildings into fortified command centers, supply depots, and fallback positions in the event of urban combat. Some will be used to house irregular militia units, many of whom have been recruited from prisons and armed under the guise of “popular defense brigades.” Militia Factor The decree’s activation coincides with a surge in militia activity across Venezuela. These groups, nominally civilian, have been integrated into the armed wing of the ruling party and are increasingly present in urban areas. Many members are recent convicts, released under special pardons and offered food rations, basic weapons, and vague promises of protection and immunity. In rural zones, these militias are largely ineffective—poorly trained and lacking logistical support. But in cities, their presence is more strategic. They serve as enforcers, and especially as informants, and potential shock troops. Their deployment in confiscated civilian buildings raises serious concerns about human rights violations, forced displacement, and the use of terror tactics against dissenting populations. Strategic Implications: Preparing for a Siege The leaked plans suggest that the regime is not merely bracing for a hypothetical invasion—it is preparing for a siege. By occupying buildings with underground facilities, Maduro’s forces aim to create a network of hardened nodes that can withstand aerial bombardment, electronic surveillance, and ground incursions. This strategy mirrors tactics used in asymmetric warfare, where conventional military inferiority is offset by urban entrenchment and psychological operations. The use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes also complicates targeting decisions for any foreign force, increasing the risk of collateral damage and propaganda exploitation. Other authors on this same website have elaborated more about this previously. Parallels: Cuba’s Playbook and Disinformation Tactics The alleged plan to disguise militia members in U.S. uniforms and stage false-flag operations is not without precedent. In 2017, Cuban intelligence reportedly fabricated a video implicating opposition leader Julio Borges in the death of a pedestrian, using a lookalike and low-resolution footage to justify his arrest. Similar tactics could be employed to frame U.S. personnel for atrocities, thereby rallying domestic and international support for the regime. Such operations rely on controlled media, selective leaks, and rapid dissemination through social networks. The goal is not to convince everyone, but to sow enough doubt to paralyze opposition and justify retaliatory measures. In this context, the “external commotion” decree becomes both a legal shield and a psychological weapon. Civilian Vulnerability: Poverty as a Tactical Weakness The success of this strategy depends, in part, on the vulnerability of the civilian population. Years of economic collapse, hyperinflation, and institutional decay have left millions of Venezuelans impoverished and disempowered. Many live in precarious housing, lack access to reliable information, and depend on government handouts for survival. This creates a fertile ground for manipulation. Civilians may be coerced into surrendering property, joining militias, or remaining silent in the face of abuses. The regime’s control over food distribution, healthcare, and employment further amplifies its leverage. In such conditions, resistance becomes not only dangerous but logistically impossible. As preppers, you need to learn what happens when a Cartel occupies the surrounding lands.  International Response: Silence and Strategic Ambiguity So far, the international community has responded with cautious statements and “diplomatic” gestures. The U.S. has increased its naval presence in the Caribbean and executed a few anti-narcotics operations, but has not confirmed any plans for direct intervention (I don´t think they need to confirm or deny anything). Regional actors, including Brazil and Colombia, remain largely passive, wary of escalation and internal instability. Human rights organizations have called for transparency and accountability, but their access to information is limited. The Maduro regime continues to restrict press freedom, block independent investigations, and criminalize dissent. In this vacuum information, leaked intelligence and citizen reports become the primary sources of insight—fragmented, risky, and often unverifiable. The Road Ahead: Resistance or Entrenchment? As the decree of external commotion moves from rhetoric to implementation, the entire country stands at a crossroads. The regime’s strategy suggests a long-term entrenchment, not a short-term reaction. Oh, well.  The consequences we are witnessing are the militarization of civilian spaces, recruiting irregular forces, and weaponizing legal frameworks. The bus driver is building (or trying to build) a fortress state—one that can survive isolation, resist intervention, and suppress internal dissent. Sounds good on paper, doesn´t it? (grin) For Venezuelans, the challenge is serious. Those identified as outstanding opposition politicians are being imprisoned just because. Private homes are illegally occupied to transform them into bunkers, laws become weapons, and truth becomes a casualty?  Just going grey and protected by the shadows, hoping that the low exposure won´t attract the attention of the machinery. They know time (their time!) is running out. A special mention to all of those understanding the travails we are going through down here, and have sent some sponsorship. Much appreciated, guys.  Thanks for your reading, stay safe, and keep tuned! Jose About Jose Jose is an upper middle class professional. He is a former worker of the oil state company with a Bachelor’s degree from one of the best national Universities. He has an old but in good shape SUV, a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood, in a small but (formerly) prosperous city with two middle size malls. Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela. Jose and his younger kid are currently back in Venezuela, after the intention of setting up a new life in another country didn’t  go well. The SARSCOV2 re-shaped the labor market and South American economy so he decided to give it a try to homestead in the mountains, and make a living as best as possible. But this time in his own land, and surrounded by family, friends and acquaintances, with all the gear and equipment collected, as the initial plan was.  Follow Jose on YouTube and gain access to his exclusive content on Patreon. Donations: paypal.me/JoseM151 The post The Venezuelan Cartel Is Hunkering Down After US Intervention appeared first on The Organic Prepper.