The Embassy of the United States in Caracas conducted an emergency evacuation drill this Saturday with an unprecedented military deployment: two MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the Marine Corps flew over the Venezuelan capital and landed at the diplomatic facilities, while the USS Iwo Jima aircraft carrier and the USS Lake Erie guided missile cruiser positioned themselves off the Venezuelan coast, less than six nautical miles away.
The exercise was formally authorized by the Venezuelan government, led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez, and coordinated with the Venezuelan Red Cross and national aviation authorities.
The chancellor Yván Gil announced the authorization in a message broadcasted by state television: "As part of the drill, two aircraft will conduct controlled flyovers over the city of Caracas and land at the facilities of the Embassy of the United States of America."
The diplomatic mission itself confirmed the operation in an official statement: "At this time, a U.S. military response exercise is taking place at the United States Embassy in Caracas. Ensuring the rapid response capability of the army is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world. We continue to advance the three-phase plan of @POTUS for Venezuela."
The exercise included controlled overflights, coordinated deployments, and rapid response procedures in scenarios such as medical emergencies, critical failures at the diplomatic mission, or natural disasters.
The USS Iwo Jima is an amphibious assault ship that gained international notoriety on January 3, 2026, when it was used as a transport platform for Nicolás Maduro following his capture in Caracas during a U.S. military operation.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were initially taken to the USS Iwo Jima before being transferred to U.S. territory, where the former dictator remains detained awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges.
The vessel has been a key element in anti-narcotics operations by Southern Command, particularly in actions against networks linked to the Cartel of the Suns, and has maintained a recurring presence in strategic maritime routes in the Caribbean since the end of 2025.
The drill takes place in a context of rapid bilateral normalization. On March 5, the U.S. and Venezuela formally restored their diplomatic relations after more than seven years of severance, and on March 14, the U.S. embassy hoisted its flag again in Caracas.
On April 30, American Airlines resumed direct flights from Miami to Caracas for the first time in seven years, and on May 17 Venezuela handed over Alex Saab to U.S. authorities.
The Trump administration's three-phase plan for Venezuela includes the stabilization of the country, economic recovery with an emphasis on the oil sector, and political reconciliation, as noted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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