United States Conducts Military Exercises Near Venezuela with Marines and Helicopters

In a powerful show of force, U.S. Marines executed a maritime interdiction exercise aboard the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) just off the coast of Venezuela. This event, widely publicized by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) with images and videos, took place on July 17.

SOUTHCOM revealed on social media that this operation is part of Operation Southern Spear, aligning with the U.S. President's priorities to "disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors, and safeguard the homeland."

The military command described the exercise as a demonstration of "teamwork and readiness" by the forces stationed in the Caribbean region.

Photographs released by the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) showcased Marines from the Littoral Combat Force-24 conducting a boarding drill, with Bell UH-1Y Venom helicopters deploying personnel onto the deck of the amphibious ship via ropes.

The Role of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit

The Littoral Combat Force-24, also known as the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, consists of about 1,300 Marines and sailors under the command of Colonel Ryan Lynch, acting as SOUTHCOM's quick response force in the region. The deployment of these 1,300 Marines to the Caribbean was initially announced at the end of May.

This exercise occurred just a week after the same vessel completed a humanitarian mission in Venezuela. On July 9, the USS San Antonio docked at the Port of La Guaira to replace the USS Fort Lauderdale as the primary component of SOUTHCOM's humanitarian aid following the June 24 earthquakes. These natural disasters resulted in at least 3,342 casualties and caused an estimated $37 billion in damages, according to the United Nations.

Political Tensions and Reactions

The political backdrop of these exercises is one of heightened bilateral tension. Following the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Venezuela's interim government, led by President Delcy Rodríguez, has fiercely opposed U.S. military presence in the area.

The Chavista regime labeled the exercises as "military harassment" and a "false flag operation." Rodríguez warned that those betting on a military intervention "will fare very poorly."

This is not the first instance of U.S. military activity of this nature in recent months. In May, the U.S. Embassy in Caracas conducted an evacuation drill using MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the Marine Corps. In January, Washington repositioned the USS San Antonio and the USS Iwo Jima to the Atlantic and authorized the interception of vessels on the high seas.

Throughout 2026, the U.S. military's presence in the Caribbean has steadily increased, featuring a combination of naval presence, amphibious exercises, and aerial surveillance in waters close to Venezuela.