WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States is increasing its maritime presence in the waters off Venezuela as part of a strategy to combat threats posed by Latin American drug cartels. The deployment includes the expected arrival of more vessels next week, stirring widespread speculation both among Venezuelans and within their government and political opposition.
The U.S. government has not announced any plans for a land invasion, with analysts believing that the possibility of such an incursion is minimal. Despite this, discussions about the U.S. military deployment have become prevalent in Venezuela, where fears of an invasion have permeated social media and state-controlled television broadcasts.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has leveraged the heightened tensions by calling on citizens to join a militia, appealing primarily to his declining support base. Meanwhile, the opposition views the U.S. military action as indicative of Maduro’s weakening power.
Three U.S. Aegis guided-missile destroyers have been confirmed to be deployed to the area, with an additional three amphibious assault ships expected to join by next week. Together, this military presence will consist of more than 4,000 sailors and Marines, according to a defense official who spoke anonymously about ongoing operations.
Admiral Daryl Caudle, the Navy’s chief of naval operations, stated that U.S. ships would support operations and missions in Venezuela related to drug cartels. However, he avoided providing details about specific military goals, citing the classified nature of much of the information. Caudle emphasized that the deployment aims to offer a variety of options to the president and secretary of defense.
The increasing military activity comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s push to use the U.S. military to combat drug cartels that he blames for contributing to the influx of fentanyl and other illegal substances into American neighborhoods, as well as for violence in U.S. cities. In February, Trump designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua and several other groups as foreign terrorist organizations due to their international operations involving drug trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Experts interpret this military buildup and the public recognition of the Tren de Aragua as part of the White House's broader strategy to create a sense of urgency among Venezuela's political elite, potentially encouraging defections. However, Christopher Sabatini from the Chatham House research center cautioned against interpreting these developments as signs of an imminent invasion.
Maduro has publicly dismissed the claims of potential threats posed by U.S. forces. During a state television broadcast, he asserted that over 90% of Venezuelans oppose these "siren songs" of military action against his government. He rejected U.S. accusations of drug trafficking, insisting that Venezuela is unlike Colombia and is free from coca production. Maduro further suggested that the narrative around drug crimes has replaced previous accusations of communism and terrorism.
In response to the U.S. military deployment, Maduro’s government is urging citizens to enlist in a volunteer militia to support the armed forces in case of an attack. Various sign-up drives were held over the weekend, and though Maduro claimed success without offering specific recruitment numbers, the authenticity of reported militia membership remains questionable, given the significant migration and declining support for Maduro.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s political opposition has welcomed the U.S. military's presence. Opposition leader María Corina Machado, whose surrogate is recognized by the U.S. as the legitimate winner of the upcoming 2024 election, thanked the Trump administration for its decisive stance against the Venezuelan government. She claimed that the recent political developments only foreshadow a forthcoming change in regime.
However, some analysts criticized the opposition for exploiting public sentiment and manipulating the idea of a military intervention, suggesting that they are attempting to rekindle their base's hopes of political change amidst a complex and ongoing crisis in the country.
As Venezuela grapples with the implications of the U.S. military build-up and internal instability, the situation will continue to evolve, with potential ramifications for both domestic and regional politics.
