US Naval Buildup Sparks Tensions: Venezuela Accuses Trump Administration of Seeking Regime Change
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of seeking a regime change in his country amid a significant naval buildup in the Caribbean. The deployment, authorized by President Donald Trump, aims to disrupt drug cartel activity, but Maduro claims it’s an intervention in Venezuela’s affairs. “They are seeking a regime change through military threat,” Maduro told journalists, officials, and uniformed military brass in Caracas.
The US Naval Buildup
Seven US warships, including the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, have been deployed to the region. The ships carry over 4,500 service members, including 2,200 Marines. The US military has also been flying P-8 spy planes in the region to gather intelligence.
Venezuela’s Response
Maduro has vowed that Venezuela won’t bow to threats and is “super-prepared.” He has also called for civil defense groups to train each Friday and Saturday. Venezuela’s Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino has warned that Venezuela will defend itself against any threat. “Venezuelans know who is behind these military threats by the United States against our country. We are not drug traffickers, we are noble and hard-working people”.
US Accusations Against Maduro
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of engaging in drug trafficking and announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. The US has also designated Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and other drug gangs, as well as the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organizations.
International Reactions
China has condemned the US military buildup off Venezuela’s coast as foreign interference in regional affairs. The move has also sparked concerns among regional governments and policy analysts, who question the purpose of the buildup.
The Bigger Picture
The tensions between the US and Venezuela come as the Trump administration has made cracking down on drug cartels a central goal of its broader border policy. The US has intensified its pressure on Venezuela in recent months, with some experts suggesting that the naval buildup may be aimed at pressuring the Maduro government.
