Possible escalation in the Caribbean
Venezuela is gathering 200,000 emergency services
Updated 11/12/2025 – 1:37 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Venezuela sees one “imperialist threat” suspended by the USA. Now the country’s government is reacting with a major maneuver.
In view of the increasing US military presence in the Caribbean, the Venezuelan government says it has called in almost 200,000 troops for exercises as part of an action plan by the armed forces. According to Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, soldiers from all branches of the armed forces as well as members of paramilitary militias are taking part in the two-day exercise.
The minister criticized the US presence in the Caribbean as “vulgar use against sovereignty and peace” not just Venezuela, but the entire region. In this context he spoke of one “imperialist threat”. At the same time, the exercise is aimed against drug trafficking and “terrorist groups”he said.
The maneuver is part of the so-called “Plan Independence 200” (Plan Independence 200), which the authoritarian head of state Nicolás Maduro announced in September for national defense. On Tuesday, the parliament, controlled by the governing parties, also passed a law “integral protection of the nation”. According to state media, it provides for the participation of the population in protecting the country against threats.
The US military is currently increasing its military force in the waters off Latin America. The largest aircraft carrier in the world, withdrawn from the Mediterranean some time ago by the Pentagon “USS Gerald R Ford”has now reached the US Southern Command area of operations, the US Navy announced on Tuesday. The exact location was not disclosed. The area of operation extends across the Caribbean and also across waters bordering Central and South America.
The US aircraft carrier “USS Gerald R Ford” is the largest warship on earth. It is 333 meters long and can accommodate up to 90 fighter planes and helicopters as well as several thousand soldiers. It is powered by a nuclear reactor and is named after the 38th President of the USA.
The USA justifies its military presence with the fight against transnational criminal organizations and the protection of the homeland from drugs. However, increasing tensions between the US and Venezuela have led to speculation about the actual reason for the aircraft carrier’s deployment to the region. There are increasing indications that US President Donald Trump wants to force a change of power in Venezuela.
The Trump administration accuses Venezuelan leader Maduro of being involved in drug smuggling to the United States. Not only does the Venezuelan government view the gathering of additional military units in the Caribbean as a threatening gesture, but so do neighboring South American countries such as Colombia and Brazil.
