U.S. B-1 Bombers Conduct Multiple Visible Flights Near Venezuela Amid Rising Tensions

In recent weeks, the U.S. Air Force has conducted multiple flights of B-1B Lancer bombers near Venezuelan airspace, flying within about 20 miles of the northern coast as a show of military strength aimed at pressuring the Nicolás Maduro regime and combating drug trafficking networks. These missions, which have been openly tracked and included midair refueling and support from reconnaissance assets like P-8A Poseidon aircraft and MQ-9 Reaper drones, represent a significant escalation in U.S. military presence in the Caribbean region. The operations are part of a broader campaign initiated under President Donald Trump's administration, which classifies drug cartels as "non-state combatant forces," allowing for targeted strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels; these strikes have resulted in at least 43 deaths but have raised concerns about legality and the absence of publicly released evidence. The U.S. has also deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group and F-35 stealth fighters to the region, signaling a comprehensive buildup of forces. The Maduro government condemns these actions as attempts to foment regime change, accusing the U.S. of fabricating conflict to justify military intervention. Overall, the U.S. aims to assert dominance and disrupt drug trafficking while navigating escalating regional tensions over sovereignty and intervention.