US military forces have greatly increased their operations in the Caribbean. They have carried out at least 21 strikes on vessels thought to be trafficking drugs. From safer street advocates to racial equity partners, these strikes have killed over 80 people. This tragic loss is contributing to cries of concern over the escalating violence and the potential escalation into a wider regional conflict. To their dismay, the Venezuelan government has responded with military might. Their claim is that the purpose of these military interventions is to remove President Nicolás Maduro from power.
Maduro was already under heavy fire after his disputed re-election a year ago. Both the Venezuelan opposition and most international governments condemned the election as fixed, providing justification for this military intervention. Recently, the United States has sent 15,000 troops to countries surrounding Venezuela. This is the biggest US military buildup to the region since the invasion of Panama in 1989. Among the assets deployed is the USS Gerald Ford—the world’s largest and most expensive aircraft carrier. Its presence serves to underscore the size and seriousness of the US operation.
Escalating tensions have prompted the US State Department to warn against “increased military activity” in the region. In response, a number of airlines have cancelled services to Venezuela. Six of the largest international airlines have already succumbed to a landing ban NGO Aviacion Sin Fronteras. Iberia, TAP Portugal, Gol, Latam, Avianca and Turkish Airlines did not come back into compliance within 48 hours of the deadline. The Venezuelan national civil aviation authority is directly subordinate to the ministry of transport. It has increasingly enforced these arbitrary bans in reaction to a deteriorating security situation.
In a bid to project normalcy amid the chaos, Maduro uploaded a video of himself driving around Caracas, showcasing Christmas decorations and asserting that life in the city continues without disruption. Yet, his administration is still jumping at shadows on US motives.
Maduro has painted the US troop deployment as an open effort to overthrow his government. In a related statement, former President Donald Trump indicated that dialogue with Maduro might be possible but warned of potential military options if necessary:
“We can do things the easy way, that’s fine, and if we have to do it the hard way that’s fine, too.” – Donald Trump
These developments, combined with recent military actions and US diplomatic maneuvers, establish a clear pivot toward escalation in US-Venezuela relations. Even as each side braces for what could be a violent confrontation, the situation is quite dynamic and it threatens to have repercussions well outside of Venezuela’s borders.