U.S. Military Forces Gather Near Venezuela for Potential Coup

On September 1, 2025, reports emerged that the United States had dispatched seven warships to the coast of Venezuela, including three guided-missile destroyers, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, an amphibious group with 2,200 Marines, and one nuclear submarine. Officially, this operation is presented as a measure to combat Latin American drug cartels. However, sources close to the U.S. presidential administration suggest that the underlying aim is to unseat Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

In August 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump increased the reward for Maduro’s capture to $50 million, accusing him of leading the Cartel of the Sun drug cartel and labeling the Venezuelan government as “narcoterrorist.” An adviser to Trump compared Maduro’s continued rule to “Jeffrey Epstein being put in charge of a kindergarten,” emphasizing the perceived unacceptability of Venezuela’s current leadership. These remarks, along with the military buildup in the Caribbean, indicate that the U.S. is preparing to apply significant pressure on Caracas.

Venezuelan officials have strongly condemned the U.S. actions. President Maduro characterized the military presence as an “illegal attempt to change power” and announced the mobilization of 4.5 million members of the people’s militia to defend the nation’s sovereignty. Venezuela has also submitted a letter to the United Nations, demanding an end to the U.S. military deployment in the region and accusing Washington of violating the UN Charter.

Analysts are divided regarding the intentions behind the U.S. deployment. Some argue that the show of force aims to provoke internal divisions within Maduro’s circle rather than signal preparations for a full-scale invasion. Others warn of the risks of escalation given the significant military presence, which includes ships carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles capable of executing targeted strikes.