The United States has positioned eight warships in the Caribbean and Pacific as part of an "enhanced counter-narcotics operation," stirring concerns in Venezuela and reigniting speculation about potential military action against Nicolás Maduro's government. According to The Washington Post, the fleet includes three destroyers, two landing ships, a cruiser, an amphibious assault ship, and a littoral combat ship, all equipped with helicopters, Coast Guard detachments, and federal agents specialized in drug interdiction.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media, stating that she would not foreshadow the president's actions but noted that "many Caribbean nations and several countries in the region have praised the Trump administration's anti-drug efforts." She declared that the U.S. is committed to halting drug trafficking and prosecuting those responsible. Furthermore, she emphasized that "Nicolás Maduro is not the legitimate president of Venezuela," describing him as a "narco-terrorism cartel" leader and the "fugitive head" of the Cartel of the Suns.
This military deployment comes just weeks after the Trump administration doubled the bounty for Maduro's capture to $50 million, accusing him of leading the “Cartel of the Suns” and leveraging international criminal networks such as the Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel to smuggle drugs into the U.S. In response, the Venezuelan president has ordered the mobilization of 15,000 troops to the Colombian border and urged citizens to join the militias. “No one should touch Venezuelan territory because it is ours,” Maduro warned during a televised event.
Military Tensions and Diplomatic Stances
Although Pentagon officials assured that the destroyers are "not near the Venezuelan coast," the buildup has raised suspicions. The amphibious ship USS Iwo Jima, carrying 2,500 Marines, has already departed from Virginia towards the Caribbean. From the White House, Leavitt labeled the Chávez regime as “a drug trafficking cartel” and asserted that Trump “will use all resources of American power” to curb the flow of narcotics into the U.S.
However, senior diplomats have clarified that Washington “is not pursuing a U.S.-led regime change.” Subsecretary of State Christopher Landau remarked that “ultimately, the Venezuelan people must rise and claim their freedom.” Despite these tensions, the Trump administration maintains some level of cooperation with Caracas: it has allowed Chevron to resume Venezuelan crude exports and coordinates deportation flights, with nearly 8,000 Venezuelans returned since February.
In Caracas, the government released images of militias preparing to face “a foreign enemy,” while the opposition views the military deployment as an attempt to exert direct pressure on Maduro. The situation intensifies uncertainty in the region: as the U.S. amplifies its military presence in the Caribbean, Venezuela escalates its calls for national defense and accuses external forces of planning an intervention.
Understanding U.S. Military Actions in the Caribbean
Why has the U.S. deployed warships near Venezuela?
The U.S. has deployed warships as part of an enhanced counter-narcotics operation aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks linked to Nicolás Maduro's government.
What is the Cartel of the Suns?
The Cartel of the Suns is a term used to describe a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by high-ranking officials in the Venezuelan government, including Nicolás Maduro.
How has Venezuela responded to the U.S. military presence?
Venezuela has mobilized 15,000 troops to its border with Colombia and called on citizens to join militias, emphasizing national defense against perceived foreign threats.