The United States is intensifying its diplomatic and military efforts against the Cartel of the Suns and the Venezuelan regime led by Nicolás Maduro. According to ABC, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is negotiating to include Mexico, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France in the Caribbean deployment. Meanwhile, Spain remains excluded from these talks due to ongoing political and strategic tensions with Washington.
Diplomatic sources, as cited by the Spanish outlet, indicate that the Trump administration is pushing for a broad international front against Venezuelan drug trafficking, elevating the military operation in the Caribbean to a multinational coalition. Spain's absence has been interpreted as a sign of cooling bilateral relations, especially as Madrid's foreign policy is veering towards China and maintaining ties with figures associated with Chavismo.
Spain in Washington's Crosshairs
ABC reports that the rift stems from the Pedro Sánchez government's agreements with Huawei, which include managing sensitive data from police wiretaps. Last week, two U.S. congressmen sent a letter warning that these contracts pose a national security risk. Additionally, discontent is growing over the influence of former President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in Spanish diplomacy. Zapatero, a key figure in the Puebla Group, has defended Chavismo in international forums and remained silent following the 2024 Venezuelan elections, which were not recognized by much of the international community.
Military Operations Underway
Parallel to the diplomatic push, the White House continues to expand its naval presence in the Caribbean. In the coming days, the USS Lake Erie, a guided-missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a fast-attack nuclear submarine, will join the three destroyers already positioned off the coast of Venezuela, along with an amphibious squadron of 4,500 troops, including 2,200 Marines.
The declared objective, as reported by ABC, is to dismantle the Venezuelan drug trafficking infrastructure: clandestine airstrips, logistical centers, weapons depots, and bridges used by the Cartel of the Suns. Washington claims that this group, allegedly led by high-ranking Chavismo officials and Maduro himself, contributes approximately $500 million per month to the regime.
Growing International Support
France has confirmed it will send naval and terrestrial resources to Guadeloupe to enhance maritime surveillance, while Trinidad and Tobago has agreed to provide its territory and waters for the U.S. operation. “For the first time in the modern era, we are truly on the offensive against organized cartels,” Rubio told President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting, as cited by ABC.
Meanwhile, Italy and the United Kingdom have shown willingness to consider their participation, with Mexico and Canada evaluating their involvement in an expanded North American cooperation framework.
Caracas Digs In
In response, Caracas wasted no time in reacting. Maduro announced the mobilization of 15,000 security personnel and the activation of 4.5 million militia members throughout the country. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino detailed patrols involving drones, warships, and river surveillance in strategic areas such as the Gulf of Venezuela and Lake Maracaibo.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello presented a map showing drug trafficking routes in the region, accusing Washington of orchestrating a “colonial” operation to seize Venezuelan resources. “We are preparing for the worst,” he stated in his latest weekly show, Con el mazo dando.
An Escalation with Uncertain Outcomes
The decision to exclude Spain highlights the new transatlantic cooperation axis around the Caribbean, where Washington is betting on partners it deems more reliable. Analysts consulted by ABC suggest that the move aims to bolster the military operation's international legitimacy and further isolate the Chavista regime.
As U.S. warships are already deployed, the militarization of the Caribbean creates a scenario reminiscent of the most tense episodes of the Cold War, with a different protagonist: drug trafficking turned into a global threat.
Key Questions on U.S. Anti-Narcotics Coalition
Why is Spain excluded from the U.S. anti-narcotics coalition?
Spain is excluded due to political and strategic tensions with Washington, partly stemming from its agreements with Huawei and its diplomatic stance towards Chavismo.
What is the objective of the U.S. military operation in the Caribbean?
The operation aims to dismantle Venezuelan drug trafficking infrastructure, targeting clandestine airstrips, logistical centers, and other assets used by the Cartel of the Suns.
Which countries are involved in the U.S.-led coalition?
Countries like Mexico, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and France are involved or considering participation in the coalition against Venezuelan drug trafficking.