A chilling question hangs over the Caribbean: is the United States preparing for military action against Venezuela? Caracas is responding as if the answer is a resounding yes, initiating a “massive mobilization” of its armed forces in direct response to a significant U.S. naval presence.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced sweeping military exercises encompassing land, air, and naval forces, alongside the activation of the Bolivarian Militia. This citizen reserve, forged by the late Hugo Chavez, is named for Simon Bolivar, the liberator of much of Latin America, and represents a nation prepared to defend its sovereignty.
The exercises, ordered directly by President Nicolas Maduro, are framed as a defense against what Venezuela terms an “imperialist threat.” The stated goal is to refine command structures and ensure the nation’s readiness, but the timing is undeniably provocative given the escalating tensions.
The catalyst for this heightened alert is the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, within the U.S. Southern Command’s area of operations. Ordered to the Caribbean by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the carrier isn’t traveling alone.
Accompanying the Ford is a formidable strike group: nine air squadrons, two guided missile destroyers, a command ship, and over 4,000 sailors. Officially, the U.S. asserts this build-up is focused on disrupting drug trafficking, citing recent strikes against suspected vessels.
However, a former U.S. ambassador to Caracas, James Story, paints a far more alarming picture. Initially dismissing the U.S. deployment as posturing, Story has dramatically revised his assessment in recent weeks.
Just two months ago, Story estimated a mere 10% chance of a U.S. attack on Venezuelan soil. Now, he believes there’s an 80% probability of military intervention, stating that “facts on the ground have changed tremendously.” He describes the situation as “imminent.”
Despite the mounting pressure, President Maduro attempts to project an image of defiance, even levity. He recently joked about his own fame eclipsing that of global music icons, suggesting he might even record an album – a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation unfolding around him.
The Caribbean Sea, once a symbol of leisure and trade, is now a potential flashpoint. The mobilization of forces on both sides suggests a dangerous escalation, leaving the region – and the world – watching with growing apprehension.
