Three US Navy warships are moving toward the coast of Venezuela and could arrive by the weekend, according to reports from Reuters and AFP. The deployment comes as the Trump administration intensifies its campaign against drug cartels in Latin America and increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The fleet reportedly includes three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers — USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. Together, they carry around 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines. Sources say the ships could reach Venezuelan waters as early as Sunday.
While US officials have not confirmed the exact mission, Washington says the operation is part of a wider effort to counter what it calls “narco-terrorist” threats in the Caribbean.
The move follows the administration’s recent decision to double the bounty on Maduro’s arrest to $50 million. US authorities accuse the Venezuelan leader of heading the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), which has alleged ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua group.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump is committed to stopping the flow of drugs into the US and holding those responsible to account.
In response, Maduro announced the mobilization of more than 4.5 million militia members across the country, describing it as a defensive measure against US “threats.” He also ordered a 30-day grounding of all drones, which analysts believe is aimed at preventing potential airstrikes.
Regional observers warn that the deployment sends a message not just to Venezuela but to other countries in Latin America as well. Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman noted that Trump’s military move is being seen as a signal that Washington could target others in the region next.
The escalation has sparked debate across Latin America about why the US is increasing military pressure so close to home while promoting itself as a peace broker on the global stage.
