ARCHIVE: In this March 12, 2020 photo, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro speaks during a press conference in el Palacio Presidencial de Miraflores, Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Foto/Matias Delacroix, Archivo)
MIAMI (AP) — The Trump administration will soon announce that the U.S. is moving naval ships toward Venezuela as it enhances counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean following a U.S. drug indictment against Nicolás Maduro, according to three people familiar with the situation.
The deployment could be announced as early as Wednesday, according to the people, who were speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss it ahead of the official announcement.
The mission is part of the U.S.’s previously announced commitment to enhance anti-drug operations in the hemisphere.
But its taken on greater urgency following last week’s indictment of Maduro, Venezuela’s embattled socialist leader, and members of his inner circle and military. They are accused of leading a narcoterrorist conspiracy responsible for smuggling 250 metric tons of cocaine a year into the U.S.
It also comes as Maduro steps up attacks on his U.S.-backed rival, Juan Guaidó. Maduro’s chief prosecutor ordered Guaidó to provide testimony Thursday as part of an investigation into an alleged coup attempt. The lawmaker, who is recognized as Venezuela’s leader by almost 60 countries, is unlikely to show up, raising concerns in the U.S. that he could be arrested. The U.S. has long insisted that it will not tolerate any harm against Guaido.
Maduro has blasted the Trump administration’s offer of a $15 million reward for his arrest, calling it the work of a “racist cowboy” aimed at getting U.S. on Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
The Trump administration has long insisted that all options are on the table for removing Maduro, including military ones. Still, there’s no indication then, or now, that any sort of U.S. invasion is being planned.
Rather, the sending of ships fits into a longstanding call by the U.S. Southern Command for additional assets to combat growing anti-narcotics and other security threats in the hemisphere.
In January, another Navy vessel, the USS Detroit, conducted a freedom of navigation operations off the coast of Venezuela in a show of pressure against Maduro.
The Trump administration has long insisted that all options are on the table for removing Maduro, including military ones. Still, there’s no indication then, or now, that any sort of U.S. invasion is being planned.
Rather, the sending of ships fits into a longstanding call by the U.S. Southern Command for additional assets to combat growing anti-narcotics and other security threats in the hemisphere.
In January, another Navy vessel, the USS Detroit, conducted a freedom of navigation operations off the coast of Venezuela in a show of pressure against Maduro
