US deploys warships near Venezuela to 'combat drug threats'

Trump deployed three Aegis guided-missile destroyers—USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson—off Venezuela’s coast, arriving within 36 hours, to target Latin American drug cartels, per two sources. The operation involves 4,000 sailors and Marines, focusing on drug threats tied to border security.

The deployment includes P-8 spy planes, warships, and an attack submarine, operating in international waters and airspace for months. An anonymous U.S. official stated the assets enable intelligence, surveillance, and potential “targeted strikes.” This follows Trump’s February designation of Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua as global terrorist organizations.

Venezuela’s communications ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Maduro, without referencing the warships, stated Venezuela would “defend our seas, our skies and our lands,” addressing a “threat of a declining empire.” The U.S. has previously deployed two warships for border security and drug trafficking efforts.

The 36-hour deployment timeline indicates urgency. The operation builds on increased U.S. airborne surveillance of Mexican cartels to gather intelligence for countering their activities. Trump’s focus on cartels aligns with efforts to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border.