On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced from the White House that U.S. military forces conducted a deadly strike in the Caribbean against a ship filled with drugs that had departed from Venezuela. "We just fired upon a vessel carrying a substantial amount of narcotics. You'll see and read about it. It came out of Venezuela with significant force," Trump stated during a press briefing, emphasizing that Washington is contending with a continual flow of illegal substances from the South American nation.
Confirmation soon followed from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who shared on his personal account on X that the operation took place in the southern Caribbean and was targeting a vessel operated by a U.S.-designated "narco-terrorist" organization.
Maduro's Outcry Over U.S. Military Presence
The strike immediately intensified the rhetoric of confrontation. Just a day prior, Nicolás Maduro had addressed the press, warning that Venezuela faces "the greatest threat in a century" due to the deployment of U.S. ships, submarines, and marines near its shores. "There are eight military ships with 1,200 missiles and a nuclear submarine aiming at Venezuela. It's an extravagant, immoral, criminal, and bloody threat," he said, clearly outraged.
The Venezuelan leader accused Washington of pushing the situation to a point of no return, asserting that his country is in "maximum defense readiness."
Venezuelan Opposition Sees a Turning Point
Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado described the situation as pivotal, asserting that most of the armed forces and security bodies are siding with the opposition. "The high command must choose between sinking with Maduro or saving themselves by supporting the transition process. Freedom is near," she recently stated.
Machado also emphasized that Maduro's ouster would trigger a domino effect in the region, particularly affecting Cuba. "The political and intelligence framework that binds Caracas with Havana will crumble with Maduro's fall. It will be the beginning of the end for the Cuban dictatorship," she noted.
Regional Crisis and International Reactions
The escalating tension has alarmed the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which has called for an extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers to assess the situation. Various governments have voiced concerns over a potential direct military operation against Caracas.
Concurrently, the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel in Cuba has solidified its alliance with Venezuela, pledging "unconditional support" in the face of what they describe as the "imperialist threats" from the United States, strengthening the long-standing ties between Havana and Caracas.
Amidst missiles aimed at Caracas, cross warnings, and warships positioned in the Caribbean, the region is experiencing one of its most tense periods in decades, with Cuba closely watching the fate of its key ally.
Key Questions About U.S.-Venezuela Tensions
What prompted the U.S. strike on the Venezuelan drug ship?
The U.S. strike was prompted by the consistent flow of narcotics from Venezuela and the operation of the ship by a U.S.-designated "narco-terrorist" organization.
How did Nicolás Maduro respond to the U.S. military actions?
Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. military presence as the greatest threat Venezuela has faced in a century, accusing Washington of escalating tensions to a critical point.
What impact does the situation in Venezuela have on Cuba?
Cuba, an ally of Venezuela, is concerned about the repercussions of Maduro's potential fall, which could disrupt the political and intelligence ties between Havana and Caracas.