US Deploys Warships, Marines Near Venezuela Amid Rising Sovereignty Tensions

The United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, has intensified military presence near Venezuela by deploying three advanced naval warships, submarines, surveillance aircraft, and over 4,000 Marines in a counternarcotics operation targeting drug trafficking networks. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Justice has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who is accused of involvement in narcotics trafficking and leading the 'Cartel of the Suns.' In response, Maduro has mobilized over 4.5 million militia members to safeguard Venezuela's sovereignty, framing the U.S. actions as aggressive and interventionist. Iran has condemned the U.S. military maneuvers, highlighting violations of international law and calling for United Nations intervention to prevent escalation in the Caribbean region. Venezuelan state media have portrayed citizens' training activities as defensive measures against an alleged U.S. invasion, which Maduro claims is imminent despite lacking evidence. These developments underscore escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, reflecting broader geopolitical conflicts involving sovereignty, drug enforcement, and international law.