US Warships Head Toward Venezuela as Trump Escalates Pressure on Maduro

Three United States warships are moving toward the coast of Venezuela, with reports saying they could arrive by the weekend. The deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump, comes as Washington ramps up its military presence in the region, framing the move as part of a crackdown on drug-trafficking cartels.

According to sources speaking to Reuters and AFP, the squadron includes three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers — the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. Onboard are about 4,500 US troops, including 2,200 Marines.

Officials haven’t spelled out the exact mission, but the deployment is being tied to threats from “narco-terrorist” organisations operating in Latin America.

The escalation follows the Trump administration doubling its bounty on Nicolas Maduro, now offering $50 million for his arrest on US drug trafficking charges. Washington has long accused the Venezuelan president of leading the Cartel de los Soles, which the US Treasury recently labeled a global terrorist organisation, linking it to both the Tren de Aragua and Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was blunt:

“Maduro is not a legitimate president. He is a fugitive head of this cartel who has been indicted in the United States for trafficking drugs.”

Maduro hit back on Monday, saying he would mobilize over 4.5 million militia members nationwide to defend against what he called US “threats.” He also grounded all aerial drones for 30 days, signaling fears of an air attack.

Analysts say Trump’s naval move could have ripple effects across Latin America. Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera’s Latin America editor, noted that many in the region fear this isn’t just about Venezuela:

“Today it may be Venezuela. Tomorrow it could be any one of them.”

Critics are also questioning why Trump is turning to gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean at the same time he’s presenting himself internationally as a peacemaker.

One thing is clear: the showdown between Washington and Caracas just moved closer to the water’s edge.