Venezuela announced plans to deploy 25,000 troops across key coastal and border regions in a bid to crack down on drug trafficking, following increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino said the reinforcements will be sent to Zulia’s Guajira region, the Paraguana peninsula in Falcon, and the states of Nueva Esparta, Sucre, and Delta Amacuro. The expanded deployment marks a sharp increase from the 10,000 troops already stationed in border areas with Colombia.
The move comes after the U.S. ordered 10 additional fighter jets to Puerto Rico to step up operations against drug cartels. Washington has also carried out military strikes targeting vessels allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela, further heightening tensions.
President Nicolas Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking regime change, while Washington insists its focus is on combating narcotics trafficking. However, potential U.S. strikes on cartel targets inside Venezuela could mark a significant escalation in the standoff.