For two months, the US military has been building up a force of warships, fighter jets, bombers, marines, drones, and spy planes in the Caribbean Sea. It is the largest deployment there for decades.
Long-range bomber planes, B-52s, have carried out 'bomber attack demonstrations' off the coast of Venezuela. Trump has authorized the deployment of the CIA to Venezuela and the world's largest aircraft carrier is being sent to the region.
The US claims to have killed dozens of individuals in strikes on small vessels from Venezuela that it alleges are involved in 'narcotics' and 'narco-terrorism', although details and evidence regarding those targeted have not been provided.
This military escalation has drawn condemnation within the region, as experts raise concerns about the legality of such actions. The military presence is being framed by the US as a battle against drug trafficking; however, signs suggest it may primarily aim at intimidating the Venezuelan government and orchestrating a regime change against President Nicolás Maduro.
Dr. Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow at Chatham House, asserts that this military buildup symbolizes a show of strength intended to instill fear among Maduro's military and inner circle, encouraging them to act against him.
In recent developments, the US has increased its bounty for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, hoping to incentivize insiders to defect. However, experts argue that such a figure may be insignificant to the notable range of corruption taking place in Venezuela.
The rhetoric surrounding drug trafficking, particularly concerning fentanyl—which the US predominantly associates with Mexico—raises skepticism about the true motivations behind the US's deployment of military assets. Since 2020, US accusations against Maduro have portrayed him as leading a narco-terrorism organization, a charge he has consistently denied.
The US's military operations raise questions about the future of Venezuela and whether a substantial military operation is indeed planned. The effectiveness of Trump's intimidating strategy remains to be seen, as insiders remain loyal to Maduro despite escalating incentives for defection.
