Venezuela Doubles Troop Deployments Amid U.S. Military Buildup

Venezuela bolstered its coastal and border defenses by ordering 25,000 additional troops to counter drug trafficking and assert sovereignty, reacting to U.S. deployment of F-35 jets in the Caribbean.

The troop surge underscores Caracas’s determination to defend its territory amid escalating tensions with Washington over alleged narcotics routes and potential military action. President Nicolás Maduro framed the move as a necessity to safeguard national sovereignty against what he called U.S. “imperialism.”

Maduro Orders Major Military Expansion

Facing increased U.S. military assets in the region, President Maduro directed Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino to deploy forces to key coastal states including Zulia, Falcón and Nueva Esparta. The new deployment raises Venezuela’s troop presence in those areas from 10,000 to 25,000 soldiers.

U.S. Deploys F-35s to Combat Cartels

On Friday, the United States repositioned 10 F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico alongside warships and Marines tasked with targeting drug trafficking networks in the Caribbean. Washington justified the buildup after a strike last week destroyed a speedboat allegedly linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killing 11 people.

Foreign Minister Seeks De-Escalation

In a rare interview, Foreign Minister Yván Gil insisted Caracas does not want a military confrontation with the U.S. and called for dialogue, even as Washington raised the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million.

Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Strains

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva warned that U.S. warships in the Caribbean fuel regional tension and could provoke an unwanted conflict. Meanwhile, Maduro marked the troop announcement with a festive twist, declaring October as “Christmas Month” to rally national morale in the face of external pressure.

Context and Implications

Analysts view Venezuela’s military expansion as both a genuine effort to disrupt drug routes and a political message of resistance against U.S. influence. The standoff raises questions about the risk of miscalculation, as both capitals weigh further actions in a region long wary of external intervention.