The United States has more than quadrupled its public display of military maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea since August, releasing a flood of images and videos from the Department of Defense. This unprecedented escalation features the USS Gerald Ford strike group, nuclear submarines, F-35 jets, and amphibious warships, creating a formidable naval presence encircling Venezuela. The deployment involves approximately 13,000 troops, according to analysts, signaling intense pressure on the Maduro regime.
While the troop numbers are insufficient for a full-scale land invasion, the exercises focus on specialized tactics. Training scenarios include low-altitude helicopter flights, jungle reconnaissance with camouflaged marines, and sniper drills from naval decks. Experts suggest these are rehearsals for dynamic, covert special operations, showcasing a complex logistical capability for potential surgical strikes or rapid infiltration missions directly off the coast of Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denounces the US actions, accusing them of inventing a war to justify removing him from power. In response to the overwhelming American military superiority, his strategy alternates between public, often theatrical, demonstrations of defiance and behind-the-scenes attempts at negotiation with the United States, as the psychological warfare campaign continues to unfold.
