The United States has intensified its strategic presence in waters off Venezuela, deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers as a key component of President Donald Trump's enhanced campaign against Latin American drug cartels.
In parallel, the U.S. has doubled the reward for information leading to the apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million. Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly accused Maduro of direct collaboration with drug traffickers, labeling him a significant threat to national security. The Department of Justice also reported the seizure of over $700 million in assets linked to Maduro, including luxury vehicles and private jets, as part of efforts to disrupt alleged transnational criminal networks.
Responding to these actions, President Maduro announced a nationwide mobilization of over 4.5 million militia members, framed by the Venezuelan government as a defensive measure to secure national territory. Units are reportedly deployed across the Caribbean Sea, which the Interior Minister asserts as Venezuelan territory. This mobilization signifies a substantial expansion of Venezuela's defensive capabilities, integrating the national militia as an official combat unit.
These developments have significantly amplified existing tensions between the United States and Venezuela. The U.S. has designated Venezuela's Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization. The ongoing dispute is characterized by assertive measures from both nations, focusing on allegations of drug trafficking and questions of political legitimacy.
Notably, the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence directly linking Maduro to drug cartels. Venezuela, conversely, asserts that its expulsion of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 2005 led to significant gains against drug trafficking. Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicates that the primary centers of drug activity are in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with the U.S. being the main distribution destination.
Maduro's administration views the U.S. military deployment as an act of aggression, while analysts suggest it could catalyze regional instability. The mobilization of Venezuela's civilian militia, armed with rifles and missiles, further complicates the geopolitical landscape, potentially blurring lines between state defense and irregular warfare. This strategic posturing by Venezuela, while a show of internal strength, also serves to deter external pressure and bolster the legitimacy of Maduro's government amidst international scrutiny following the disputed 2024 re-election, which Washington and other international bodies have condemned.