The United States is sending three Navy destroyers, 4,000 troops, planes, and a submarine to waters near Venezuela. Washington says the deployment is aimed at combating drug trafficking and accuses Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his allies of leading a cartel called the “Cartel de los Soles.”
The White House has increased the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the operation is intended to stop drugs from reaching US shores and described Maduro as an illegitimate leader.
Venezuela’s government rejects these claims. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said the US goal is regime change, not anti-narcotics enforcement. President Maduro ordered millions of militia members to prepare to defend the country, stating: “No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela.”
Critics argue the move is motivated by Venezuela’s large oil reserves and its close ties to Russia, China, and Iran, rather than drug enforcement. The US has previously tried to remove Maduro through sanctions, political pressure, and support for opposition groups.
Regional reactions are mixed. Leaders in Mexico, Colombia, and Bolivia warned against intervention, citing threats to Latin American sovereignty. Other governments have remained silent or offered quiet support for US measures.
The current military build-up is the most significant US show of force against Venezuela in decades. It remains unclear whether it will result in direct conflict or remain a demonstration of strength.
