The United States deployed eight warships in Caribbean and Pacific waters as part of a "reinforced anti-drug operation," raising alarm in Venezuela and reigniting speculation about a possible military action against Nicolás Maduro's government.
According to The Washington Post, the flotilla includes three destroyers, two landing ships, a cruiser, an amphibious assault ship, and a littoral combat ship. The vessels carry helicopters, Coast Guard detachments, and federal agents specialized in drug interdiction.
In statements to the press, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she would not preempt the president's actions, but that "many Caribbean nations and many countries in the region have applauded the drug interdiction operations of the Trump administration."
He assured that the U.S. is willing to stop drug trafficking and bring those responsible to justice. He went on to state that "Nicolás Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela," but rather "a cartel of narcoterrorism" and "the fugitive leader" of the Cartel de los Soles.
The deployment comes just a few weeks after the Trump administration doubled the reward for the capture of Maduro to $50 million, accused by Washington of leading the "Cártel de los Soles" and using international criminal networks such as the Tren de Aragua and the Cártel de Sinaloa to smuggle drugs into the U.S.
The Venezuelan president, for his part, ordered the mobilization of 15,000 soldiers to the border with Colombia and urged citizens to join the militias.
"No one should touch Venezuelan territory because that territory is ours," Maduro warned during a televised event.
Although Pentagon officials stated that the destroyers "are not close to the Venezuelan coast," the buildup of forces has raised suspicions. The amphibious ship USS Iwo Jima, with 2,500 Marines on board, has already set sail from Virginia toward the Caribbean.
From the White House, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt described the Chavista regime as "a drug trafficking cartel" and stated that Trump "will use all the resources of American power" to stop the flow of drugs into the country.
However, senior diplomats have clarified that Washington "does not seek a U.S.-led regime change." Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that "ultimately, the Venezuelan people must rise up and claim their own freedom."
Despite the tensions, the Trump administration maintains some cooperation with Caracas: it authorized Chevron to resume exports of Venezuelan crude oil and is coordinating deportation flights, with nearly 8,000 Venezuelans returned since February.
In Caracas, the government released images of militia members ready to confront “a foreign enemy,” while the opposition interprets the deployment as an attempt to apply direct pressure on Maduro.
The situation reinforces the uncertainty in the region: while the U.S. increases its military presence in the Caribbean, Venezuela is amplifying its calls for national defense and denouncing a plan for foreign intervention.
Frequently asked questions about the tension between the U.S. and Venezuela
Why has the United States deployed warships near Venezuela?
The United States has deployed warships in the Caribbean as part of a reinforced anti-drug operation, aimed at combating drug trafficking in the region. The U.S. government accuses Nicolás Maduro's regime of being involved in narco-terrorism, linking it to the Cartel de los Soles and other criminal organizations. Additionally, the deployment is seen as a direct pressure tactic on the Venezuelan government.
What is the United States' stance on Nicolás Maduro?
The United States government does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. According to the U.S. administration, Maduro is considered the leader of a narcoterrorist cartel known as the Cartel de los Soles. This criminal organization is allegedly involved in drug trafficking to the United States, and a reward of 50 million dollars has been offered for information leading to his capture.
How has Venezuela responded to the U.S. military deployment?
Venezuela has responded to the U.S. military deployment by increasing the presence of its armed forces in the region. The government of Nicolás Maduro has mobilized 15,000 soldiers to the border with Colombia and has ordered the deployment of warships in its territorial waters. Additionally, it has activated the Bolivarian National Militia, composed of millions of civilians, to defend the territory and sovereignty of the country.
What is the Cartel de los Soles and what is its relationship with Maduro?
The Cartel of the Suns is an alleged criminal organization composed of high-ranking Venezuelan officials and military personnel, accused by the United States of trafficking cocaine into the North American country. According to U.S. authorities, the cartel is said to be under the leadership of Nicolás Maduro and his close circle. This organization has been designated as a terrorist group by Washington, which expands the legal tools available to pursue its members.
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