WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army is prepared to deploy to Venezuela if directed by the President and Secretary of War, according to Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy. The statement comes amid heightened tensions and a build-up of U.S. military assets in the region as the Trump administration weighs options regarding the political crisis in Venezuela.
McCarthy emphasized the Army’s readiness during an interview with CBS News’ Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation,” stating, “The president and the secretary of war have spent a lot of time thinking about what is the best thing they can do for the American people. And I can speak from the Army’s viewpoint, which is that we have a lot of training in that part of the world. We are reactivating our jungle school in Panama. We would be ready to act on whatever the president and the secretary of war need.” He declined to confirm if orders have already been issued, but added, “we would be ready, if asked.”
The Army’s preparation includes reactivating its jungle school in Panama, where U.S. military personnel have been conducting the “Combined Jungle Orientation Course” alongside Panamanian security forces, focusing on survival, tactics, and patrol operations in jungle environments.
This readiness follows briefings this week for President Trump on potential responses to the situation in Venezuela, including airstrikes targeting military or government facilities and drug trafficking routes, and also a potential direct effort to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power. Trump indicated Friday he has “more or less” made a decision, but has not disclosed details.
The U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, approximately 15,000 soldiers, over a dozen warships, and 10 F-35 fighter jets.
