Free Republic

Summary U.S. naval buildup exceeds usual deployments in Caribbean Venezuelan officials claim U.S. targets their government, not drug cartels Experts suggest U.S. aims to pressure Maduro regime, not just combat drugs WASHINGTON, Aug 29 (Reuters) - A large buildup of U.S. naval forces in and around the Southern Caribbean has officials in Caracas and experts in the United States asking: is the move aimed at combating drug cartels, as the Trump administration has suggested, or is it for something else entirely? Seven U.S. warships, along with one nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are either in the region or are expected to...

U.S. naval buildup framed as anti-smuggling push, but invasion rumors swirl. Venezuelans struggle to keep daily life steady amid fear and uncertainty. Venezuelan president rallies militias and denounced Washington’s “imperialist” threats. CARACAS, Venezuela — U.S. warships steam toward the southern Caribbean. The Trump administration denounces embattled “narco-president” Nicolás Maduro and doubles a bounty on his head to $50 million. Rumors of an invasion, coup or other form of U.S. intervention flood social media. For the beleaguered people of Venezuela, mired in more than a decade of crisis — hyperinflation, food shortages, authoritarian rule and rigged elections — a new phase...