Venezuela Mobilizes Troops And Weapons As U.S. Warships Mass In The Caribbean

Venezuela has begun deploying military units and stockpiling weapons in response to the Trump administration’s growing naval buildup in the Caribbean, signaling heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas.

According to sources and planning documents reviewed by Reuters, the Venezuelan government has activated what it calls a “prolonged resistance” strategy — positioning small military units at more than 280 locations to carry out sabotage missions and other guerrilla operations if conflict erupts.

“We don’t discuss intelligence matters,” a War Department official told Fox News when asked about the reports.

President Nicolás Maduro has accused the Trump administration of attempting to remove him from power and vowed that Venezuelans will defend their country against any American assault.

The deployment follows President Donald Trump’s order to intensify anti-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group have entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility as part of the administration’s efforts to expand military pressure in the region.

“The enhanced U.S. force presence in the USSOUTHCOM AOR will bolster U.S. capacity to detect, monitor, and disrupt illicit actors and activities that compromise the safety and prosperity of the United States homeland and our security in the Western Hemisphere,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Sean Parnell. “These forces will enhance and augment existing capabilities to disrupt narcotics trafficking and degrade and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations.”

Amid the standoff, the U.S. military has conducted a series of lethal strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels. President Trump has hinted that direct ground operations could follow, saying, “the land is going to be next.”

Despite the fiery rhetoric, Venezuela’s military faces major logistical challenges. According to Reuters, some unit commanders have had to negotiate with local food producers to feed their troops because government supplies are insufficient.

As part of its defensive strategy, Venezuela is reportedly preparing for a guerrilla-style resistance. “We wouldn’t last two hours in a conventional war,” a source close to the government told the outlet.

Russia’s foreign ministry announced last week that it stands ready to assist Venezuela upon request, while urging both sides to avoid escalation.