US Deploys B-1B Bombers Near Venezuela Amid Regional Military Buildup

The United States has escalated its military presence near Venezuela, deploying B-1B bombers for multiple flights close to the Venezuelan coast as part of a broader show of force. These flights, acknowledged as the third such occurrence in recent weeks, coincide with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group and additional military assets to the Caribbean, signaling increased pressure on President Nicolas Maduro's government. The U.S. administration, led by President Trump, publicly frames these operations as counter-narcotics efforts targeting transnational criminal organizations, but analysts and regional actors view them as part of a campaign aimed at regime change. Venezuela's government vehemently condemns the U.S. actions, accusing Washington of fabricating threats and attempting to destabilize its government, including claims of thwarting CIA-linked mercenary incursions. The bomber flights have been conducted with transponders on, indicating a deliberate and visible show of military capability intended as psychological warfare. Overall, the intensified U.S. military activity underscores a deepening confrontation over regional influence and drug trafficking, heightening tensions in the Caribbean.