US Increases Naval Presence, Venezuela Condemns Caribbean Deployment

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have escalated as the Trump administration significantly increased its naval presence in the Southern Caribbean, deploying multiple warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, with the stated mission of combating drug cartels. Venezuela strongly condemns these actions, accusing the U.S. of violating international law and using false pretexts to justify military aggression, asserting that the Caribbean should remain a Zone of Peace and highlighting UN reports that certify Venezuela as free of illicit drug cultivation. Venezuelan officials have formally complained to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, seeking his intervention to halt what they describe as a threat to regional peace and a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing Venezuela. The U.S. government, meanwhile, emphasizes its commitment to stopping the flow of drugs into America, designating Venezuelan criminal groups as terrorist organizations and preparing military options to address drug trafficking and related security concerns. Regional voices and Venezuelan diplomats criticize some Caribbean nations for aligning with the U.S. narrative, which they say undermines regional solidarity and cooperation. This military buildup reflects the Trump administration's broader strategy to address drug cartels and migration pressures at the southern border, despite escalating diplomatic friction with Venezuela.