Image Credit: Screenshot | @elcuartorojo 
Venezuela is really trying to flex back after the Trump administration dispatched three Navy destroyers to waters near Venezuela this month, and Reuters has said that a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine is also en route to the region.
In response Venezuela’s defense minister has ordered increased drone surveillance and naval patrols along the country’s coastline, with a statement calling a “significant” mobilization of both drones and naval vessels, including larger warships positioned further north within Venezuelan territorial waters. Extra troops are being placed on the ready in border states of Venezuela as well. Socialist strongman President Nicolás Maduro is also making a big show, saying he’s ready to fight the imperialist invaders…
The US has claimed the new deployment is aimed at combating drug trafficking, but ultimately Caracas is concerned that this could be a renewed push for regime change in the country which has vast deposits of oil.
The White House has long accused Maduro of leading a drug trafficking network known as the “Cartel de los Soles” – though there’s been no smoking gun proof or evidence that this is the case. He’s also been accused of weaponizing migration – though Maduro has shown himself ready to engage with American diplomatic delegations on the matter.
Maduro has rejected the accusations, countering that, unlike Colombia, Venezuela does not cultivate coca plants or produce cocaine, and that the United States’ immigration crisis is not Caracas’ fault or problem.
American warships headed toward Caribbean waters off Venezuela as tensions soar:
Previously the NYT wrote of the new naval build-up that “It signals Mr. Trump’s continued willingness to use military forces to carry out what has primarily been considered a law enforcement responsibility to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.”
Maduro has been busy positioning some 15,000 police and military officers in sensitive border states of Zulia and Táchira, signaling concern over cross-border threats.
“There’s no way they can enter Venezuela,” he said said while visiting a special forces unit days ago. “Today, we are stronger than yesterday. Today, we are more prepared to defend peace, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Maduro said while addressing the troops, according to the state-run Venezuela News Agency.
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