URGENT UPDATE: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has declared that there is “no way” U.S. troops can invade Venezuela, following the deployment of multiple warships and 4,000 troops to the Caribbean. The United States claims this operation, taking place near Venezuela’s territorial waters, is aimed at combating drug trafficking.
In response, Maduro has mobilized his military, dispatching warships and drones to patrol the coastline while launching a recruitment drive for thousands of militia members. “We are prepared to defend our peace, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Maduro stated emphatically, dismissing any potential invasion.
While the U.S. has not issued a public threat to invade, the situation remains tense. The Trump Administration has intensified its focus on Venezuela, accusing Maduro of leading a cocaine trafficking cartel known as the Cartel de los Soles. This cartel has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., which recently doubled its bounty on Maduro to $50 million for his capture on drug charges.
Last year, U.S. authorities seized a plane linked to Maduro, alleging it was exported from Florida in violation of sanctions. Since Maduro’s controversial re-election in July 2024, he has accused the U.S. of attempting to orchestrate regime change in Venezuela.
Thousands of Venezuelans, including civil servants and retirees, lined up in Caracas over the weekend to join the militia, responding to Maduro’s calls to confront “outlandish threats” from the U.S. Earlier this week, the Venezuelan government formally requested the United Nations to intervene, demanding an immediate cessation of U.S. military operations in the Caribbean.
Adding to the tension, Venezuela announced the deployment of 15,000 troops to its border with Colombia to combat drug trafficking. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that the troops would bolster security in the border states of Zulia and Tachira.
The Trump Administration has directed the Pentagon to consider military actions against Latin American drug cartels, which have been labeled as terrorist organizations. However, it remains unclear when or if military action will be executed. In a related note, Mexico has firmly stated it will not permit U.S. military forces on its territory, with President Claudia Sheinbaum asserting that “there will be no invasion of Mexico.”
Earlier this year, the Trump Administration designated eight drug trafficking groups as terrorist organizations, including one from Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the administration would use these designations to target and dismantle these cartels through various means, including military action.
As the situation develops, the world watches closely. The implications of U.S. military presence near Venezuela could reshape the geopolitical landscape in the region. Stay tuned for updates on this rapidly evolving story.