Caracas has initiated three days of armed drills on its island territory of La Orchila as tensions soar amid US military activity.
Rising Tensions in the Region
Units positioned for what Washington labeled an counter-narcotics mission have sunk at least several crafts and a total of 14 people reportedly smuggling illicit substances across the waters this month.
These actions and a deployment of Washington's fleet in the zone have raised fears of a possible invasion in the South American nation.
Venezuelan Response
The exercise authorized by the nation's leader was dubbed “Sovereign Caribbean”, stated Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.
“We are deploying air defense deployments with combat UAVs, surveillance drones, submarine drones... Our forces will conduct electronic warfare actions,” he announced.
Public television displayed images of landing craft and naval destroyers stationed off the island, where Venezuela maintains a defense outpost.
Defense authorities said the operations would involve 12 ships, numerous aerial assets and a fleet of patrol vessels from the “special naval militia”.
Context and Claims
The territory is close to the area where the American forces intercepted and held a national fishing boat for several hours over the past few days.
The president, whose previous votes were not accepted by the United States and several international actors, has sworn that Venezuela will defend itself against what he described as US “aggression” against his nation.
Washington is posting a financial incentive for the capture of Maduro, who is accused of narcotics-related offenses.
Denials and Counterclaims
Caracas has demanded an probe of a Washington-led operation on an alleged drug boat in recent days that claimed the lives of 11 people.
This was one of three Venezuelan vessels that the White House said his country had “destroyed” without sharing specifics.
“It remains unclear, because authorities claim it transported narcotics but can this be verified?”, remarked a senior official.
The minister stated publicly that law enforcement had intercepted more than a significant amount of drugs so far this 2025.
“This amounts to the biggest seizure that has been recorded since over a decade ago,” added the minister, who – along with the president and other government members – is under American restrictions.
US Rationale
Trump has defended taking military action by stating on social media that “violent drug trafficking cartels are a risk to American safety, Foreign Policy, and crucial objectives”.
Washington has published footage of two of the boat strikes and claims it has conclusive material that the victims were drug transporters, without providing details to back up the assertions.
The government has consistently denied being a trafficking hub.
