US naval buildup in Caribbean raises tensions with Venezuela

Tensions between Washington and Caracas have escalated following a significant US naval deployment in the Southern Caribbean and surrounding waters, which American officials say is aimed at tackling Latin American drug cartels.

President Donald Trump has made combating drug trafficking a key priority of his administration, linking it to efforts to curb migration and strengthen the southern border. While US naval and Coast Guard vessels routinely patrol the region, officials acknowledged that the latest deployment is far larger than normal.

According to a US official who requested anonymity, seven warships and a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine are currently in the area or expected to arrive within the week.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the manoeuvres, accusing Washington on Wednesday of “threatening” his country with nuclear submarines in breach of international treaties.

Although the precise mission of the US forces remains unclear, the Trump administration has authorised the Pentagon to prepare military options for targeting cartels and other criminal networks. The White House said Thursday that Trump was prepared to use “every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country.”

”Many Caribbean nations and many nations in the region have applauded the administration’s counter drug operations and efforts,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

The Trump administration designated Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and other drug gangs, as well as the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organizations in February.

Part of that buildup is the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. The ships are carrying 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines, sources have told Reuters.

The U.S. military has also been flying P-8 spy planes in the region to gather intelligence, officials have said, though they have operated in international waters.

”Our diplomacy isn’t the diplomacy of cannons, of threats, because the world cannot be the world of 100 years ago,” said Maduro, whose government said last week it would send 15,000 troops to states along its western border with Colombia to combat drug trafficking groups.

Maduro has also called for civil defence groups to train each Friday and Saturday.

Maduro’s government regularly accuses the opposition and foreigners of conspiring with U.S. entities such as the CIA to harm Venezuela, accusations the opposition and the U.S. have always denied. It characterizes sanctions as ”economic war.”

With inputs from agencies