Venezuela mobilizes 200,000 troops in a massive military exercise as Trump’s naval forces position themselves in Caribbean waters, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with the Maduro regime.
Story Snapshot
- Venezuela launches a massive military exercise involving 200,000 troops in response to U.S. naval presence.
- USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, enters the Caribbean with advanced fighter squadrons.
- Trump administration’s anti-drug operations have eliminated 76 criminals on 20 vessels since September.
- Colombia halts intelligence sharing with U.S., undermining regional anti-drug cooperation.
Trump’s Naval Power Projects Strength in Caribbean
The USS Gerald Ford, America’s most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, entered the Southern Command region on November 11, 2025, bringing unprecedented firepower to waters near Venezuela.
The carrier deploys four squadrons of F/A-18 Super Hornets, electronic warfare aircraft, and advanced surveillance systems. Trump has also positioned F-35 stealth fighters in Puerto Rico alongside six additional Navy vessels, demonstrating a serious commitment to regional operations against criminal networks.
This naval deployment represents exactly the kind of peace-through-strength approach that puts America’s interests first. Unlike the previous administration’s weak foreign policy, Trump’s decisive action sends a clear message to dictators and drug cartels that threaten American security.
Venezuela has announced a major military exercise, reportedly involving 200,000 troops, as a U.S. Navy flotilla nears Caribbean waters. https://t.co/nvAT6Luekm
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 12, 2025
Maduro Regime Responds with Military Posturing
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced the country’s largest military exercise involving 200,000 troops across land, air, and sea operations.
Padrino accused U.S. forces of “murdering defenseless people” during anti-drug operations, deliberately ignoring that these strikes target criminal vessels smuggling poison into American communities.
The regime’s propaganda attempts to portray drug traffickers as innocent victims rather than acknowledge their role in America’s overdose crisis.
Maduro’s military theatrics reveal his desperation as Trump tightens the noose around his criminal enterprise. The dictator clearly understands that his days of exploiting weak American leadership are over, prompting this dramatic show of force.
Effective Anti-Drug Operations Deliver Results
Since September, U.S. forces have successfully targeted approximately 20 vessels carrying illegal drugs in international waters, eliminating at least 76 criminals involved in trafficking operations.
These precision strikes represent the kind of decisive action needed to combat cartels flooding American streets with deadly substances. The operations occur in international waters, ensuring full legal authority while protecting American sovereignty and citizens from foreign drug networks.
Trump’s willingness to take direct action against drug traffickers contrasts sharply with previous policies that allowed these criminal enterprises to operate with impunity. This approach prioritizes American lives over political correctness and international hand-wringing.
Regional Allies Abandon Anti-Drug Fight
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro ordered his country to cease intelligence sharing with the United States, citing concerns over maritime drug interdiction operations. Petro’s decision prioritizes “human rights of Caribbean people” over stopping deadly drugs from reaching American communities.
This misguided stance effectively provides cover for criminal organizations while undermining legitimate law enforcement cooperation that has historically protected both nations.
Former Ambassador James Story, who served under both Trump and Biden, indicated that military options remain available for addressing the Maduro regime.
Venezuela’s criminal leadership has repeatedly rejected Trump’s accusations of complicity with drug trafficking gangs, despite overwhelming evidence of state-sponsored criminal activity threatening American security and regional stability.
