Reuters Reports : Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have intensified as a significant U.S. naval buildup occurs in the Southern Caribbean. U.S. officials assert that this deployment is aimed at addressing threats posed by Latin American drug cartels.
President Donald Trump has prioritized cracking down on drug trafficking as part of his administration’s broader effort to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border. While U.S. Coast Guard and Navy vessels routinely operate in the region, this current buildup is notably larger than typical deployments.
A U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed on Thursday that seven warships and one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine are either already in the area or expected to arrive in the coming week.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has publicly condemned the U.S. actions, asserting that they violate international law. Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, voiced concerns after meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, calling the naval buildup a “massive propaganda operation” aimed at justifying potential military intervention in a sovereign nation.
“The U.S. is engaging in military intervention in a country which is a sovereign and independent country and is no threat to anyone,” Moncada stated.
In response to the situation, the White House emphasized that Trump is prepared to utilize “every element of American power” to combat drug trafficking. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that many Caribbean nations have supported the administration’s counter-drug initiatives.
As part of the naval buildup, ships such as the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale are carrying approximately 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines. The U.S. military is also deploying P-8 spy planes in the region to gather intelligence, although they have operated within international waters.
Maduro, in a counter-response, declared that his government would deploy 15,000 troops to the western border with Colombia to combat drug trafficking and called for civil defense groups to conduct training exercises.
The Venezuelan government regularly accuses opposition forces and foreign entities, including the CIA, of conspiring against it, while the U.S. and opposition leaders deny these allegations. Maduro’s administration has characterized U.S. sanctions as an “economic war,” further complicating the already strained relations between the two nations.
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