The United States has deployed warships to the Caribbean as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro launched his own fleet and ordered 15,000 troops to the border with Colombia. The moves mark a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas, with both sides flexing military power in the region.
Three US destroyers and 4,000 Marines are sailing toward Venezuela’s coastline, according to defense officials. The deployment also includes a guided missile cruiser, the USS Erie, and a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine expected to reach the Caribbean next week. The Pentagon described the operation as part of an effort to disrupt drug trafficking networks tied to the Maduro regime.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of leading a “narco-terrorist” cartel, linking his government to Venezuela’s drug trade and Colombian rebel groups. Earlier this year, the US Justice Department unsealed indictments against Maduro and top Venezuelan officials on conspiracy charges. A $50 million bounty was also announced for information leading to Maduro’s capture, Reuters reported.