The US is sending three guided missile destroyer ships and other military vehicles to surveil Venezuelan cartels and “address” the threats they pose to the US.
This comes over two weeks since the bounty for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was increased by the US Department of Justice to $50 million for crimes he is charged with in the US, and for his alleged leadership of a Venezuelan cartel.
According to Reuters, two sources with the US military briefed the outlet on the effort in Venezuela. The ships will be deployed “in the next 36 hours,” a source said.
The main ships being sent are the USS Gravely, the USS Jason Dunham, and the USS Sampson. There is also an unspecified group of P-8 spy planes, warships, along with an attack submarine being employed.
Venezuela has responded by activating 4.5 million militia members throughout the country, Reuters reported. Responding to the US’s initiative toward Venezuela, Maduro called the US’s efforts antagonistic.
“The empire has gone mad and has renewed its threats to Venezuela’s peace and tranquility, Maduro stated during a public event in the nation’s capital, Caracas
The US’s scope of action in Venezuela has not been expressly outlined by the White House. However, one of Reuters’ sources provided some elaboration.
“The naval assets can be used to not just carry out intelligence and surveillance operations, but also as a launching pad for targeted strikes if a decision is made, the official added.”
Reuters further reported, “A separate U.S. official told Reuters that in total, about 4,000 sailors and Marines are expected to be committed to the Trump administration’s efforts in the southern Caribbean region.”
The Trump administration has made an effort to take down drug and human trafficking cartels centered in South America, designating eight gangs as foreign terrorist organizations in February.
