U.S. Increases Military Presence Near Venezuela Amidst Drug Trafficking Accusations and Political Tensions
Washington D.C. – November 17, 2025 – The United States has significantly escalated its military posture near Venezuela with the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, accompanied by Navy ships that have been stationed off the Venezuelan coast for months. This deployment coincides with joint military exercises involving U.S. Marines from the 22nd Expeditionary Unit and renewed training of U.S. Army troops in Panama, signaling a heightened focus on Latin America.
The Trump administration has justified the increased military activity as a response to the flow of illegal drugs into the United States, alleging that Venezuela serves as a key transit point for narcotics destined for Europe and North America. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced the reactivation of the U.S. jungle school in Panama,stating the military would be prepared to act on the direction of President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
While the administration maintains the focus is on disrupting drug trafficking,it has not publicly released evidence linking recent incidents – involving the destruction of boats at sea – to “narcoterrorists,” as claimed by President Trump. Trump has also indicated a potential expansion of military operations to target drug trafficking routes by land.
the arrival of the USS Ford, a 100,000-ton warship, is widely seen as a presentation of U.S. military power. Experts note that while the carrier may not be ideally suited for combating cartels, it serves as a potent tool for intimidation and could be used to pressure Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to step down. The U.S. does not recognise Maduro as the legitimate leader of Venezuela, following accusations of electoral fraud in the previous year’s election, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has characterized the Venezuelan government as a “transshipment organisation” complicit in drug trafficking.
Venezuela’s government has vehemently condemned the U.S. actions, labeling the training exercises an act of aggression. maduro, who faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S., claims the U.S. is “fabricating” a war against his country and has called for the Venezuelan peopel to defend their homeland. The government recently announced a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians, alongside rallies promoting increased membership and policy support for the ruling socialist party.
The administration’s justification for the naval strikes rests on the claim of being in “armed conflict” with drug cartels and asserting that the targeted boats were operated by foreign terrorist organizations. This stance has drawn criticism from regional leaders, the U.N. human rights chief, and some U.S. lawmakers who are demanding greater transparency regarding the targets and legal basis for the operations.
Despite this pushback, Senate Republicans recently rejected legislation that would have required congressional authorization before any U.S. military attack against Venezuela.
The potential for U.S. warplanes to strike targets within Venezuela remains a subject of debate among experts. However, elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst for the Andes region at the International Crisis group, emphasized the significance of the USS Ford’s presence. “This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S.military power once again in Latin America,” she stated, adding that the situation is being closely watched throughout the region with considerable anxiety.