The United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to the waters near Venezuela as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to counter Latin American drug cartels, according to a U.S. official familiar with the planning.
The USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson are expected to arrive in the region soon, the official told the Associated Press on Tuesday, speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to comment. Later, a White House spokesperson confirmed the deployment to Newsweek via email.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the deployment during Tuesday’s press briefing, saying, “The president is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country and to bring those responsible to justice. The Maduro regime is not the legitimate government—it is a Nacro terror cartel.”
A separate Defense Department official also confirmed that the U.S. Navy ships had been assigned to support counternarcotics operations. That official, who spoke anonymously, said the vessels would remain in the region “over the course of several months.”
The deployment highlights Trump’s focus on leveraging U.S. military power against cartels he blames for flooding American communities with fentanyl and other illegal drugs, as well as for contributing to violence in U.S. cities.
Trump has also urged Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to adopt a tougher stance against cartels than her predecessor. However, Sheinbaum has maintained Mexico’s sovereignty and rejected proposals involving U.S. military intervention.
In February, Trump designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13, and six Mexico-based groups as foreign terrorist organizations. His administration has also stepped up immigration enforcement against alleged gang members.
Although foreign terrorist designations are typically reserved for organizations such as al-Qaida or the Islamic State, which use violence for political purposes, the Trump administration argues that these groups’ international activities—including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and violent territorial expansion—warrant the label.
On Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused the United States of escalating threats and pledged to mobilize over 4.5 million militia members nationwide. Created by former President Hugo Chávez, these militias consist of volunteers who can support the armed forces in defending against foreign or domestic attacks.
Maduro said at a Caracas event, “The empire has gone mad and has renewed its threats to Venezuela’s peace and tranquility,” without citing specific U.S. actions.
Earlier this month, Trump’s administration increased the reward for Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, accusing him of narco-trafficking and colluding with cartels to send fentanyl-laced cocaine into the U.S. Maduro was first indicted in New York federal court in 2020, during Trump’s first term, on charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, alongside several close allies. At that time, the U.S. offered a $15 million reward.
Why is Venezuela Important to the U.S.?
Venezuela holds some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves and has long been a focus of U.S. foreign policy, according to the Energy Information Administration. Washington has also viewed the country as key to regional stability, especially as political and economic crises under Maduro have fueled mass migration across Latin America. U.S. officials say Venezuela’s ties to Russia, China, and Iran add urgency to its strategic significance.
Is Venezuela Safe to Visit?
The U.S. State Department advises Americans to avoid travel to Venezuela, citing crime, civil unrest, poor healthcare infrastructure, and arbitrary detentions by security forces. Caracas and other major cities have some of the highest violent crime rates in the Western Hemisphere, according to the United Nations. While some travelers visit family or business contacts, U.S. officials warn that conditions remain unpredictable and dangerous.
What to Know About Latin America Cartels
Latin American drug cartels are powerful criminal networks that dominate cocaine and fentanyl trafficking to the United States, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Groups such as Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and Jalisco New Generation cartel, along with Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, use violence, corruption, and smuggling routes to expand their operations. U.S. officials say the cartels generate billions of dollars annually and contribute to record levels of overdose deaths.
Expert Insight
Henry Ziemer, Associate Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Newsweek, “These ships do bring important capabilities to bear in the region, especially in terms of sensing and their ability to detect drug trafficking boats, including low-observable narco-submarines, which are increasingly favored by traffickers. However, such a concentration of forces seems excessive for the stated mission of narcotics interdiction and appears intended as a show of force directed at Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.”
He added, “While the move has raised fears of direct military action, it seems more likely that the deployment is meant to demonstrate resolve rather than signal an imminent invasion.”
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil responded on Tuesday, criticizing U.S. drug-trafficking accusations: “Washington’s accusing Venezuela of drug trafficking reveals its lack of credibility and the failure of its policies in the region. While Washington threatens, Venezuela steadily advances in peace and sovereignty, demonstrating that true effectiveness against crime is achieved by respecting the independence of its peoples. Every aggressive statement confirms the inability of imperialism to subdue a free and sovereign people.”
