US Deploys 4,000 Personnel, Warships Near Venezuela Amid Drug Cartel Threats

The Trump administration has significantly increased the U.S. naval and military presence near Venezuela to combat drug cartel threats, deploying over 4,000 personnel, including Marines, seven warships, three guided-missile destroyers, and a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine. This buildup aims to support operations against drug trafficking linked to Venezuelan actors, though the Pentagon has not disclosed specific mission details or intentions of a land invasion. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the U.S. actions as an aggressive threat to sovereignty, urging citizens to join a volunteer militia and deploying warships and drones to patrol its coastline. Venezuela’s UN ambassador called the U.S. military presence a propaganda effort to justify potential military intervention. The situation has escalated tensions between Washington and Caracas, with the U.S. emphasizing its commitment to stopping the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into American communities, a priority highlighted by a $50 million reward President Trump issued for Maduro’s capture. Regional reactions have been mixed, with some Caribbean nations supporting U.S. counter-drug efforts while Venezuela prepares for possible confrontation.