US-Venezuela tensions have skyrocketted in recent weeks as US built up a large naval and air presence in the Caribbean Sea in what initially started as a force to conduct strikes on claimed drug traffickers.
However, the forces the US has in theater are far beyond what would be required for simple strikes on unarmed boats the size of a fishing vessel, and this has led to speculation that the United States is preparing for something bigger such as strikes on Venezuela.
In recent days, the United States has also ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group from its deployment in the Mediterranean to the Carribean region.
So far, the following US Navy vessels are deployed:
- USS Iwo Jima
- USS San Antonio
- USS Stockdale
- USS Jason Dunham
- USS Gravely
- USS Lake Erie
- USS Wichita
- USS Gettysburg
- USS Newport News
- MV Ocean Trader special operations support ship
US force build-up in SOUTHCOM off Venezuela is enormous. Over 20% of the deployed US Navy fleet is now here.
USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group USS Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) | Carrier USS Mahan (DDG-72) | Destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) | Destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) | Destroyer
Other Destroyers & Cruisers
USS Gettysburg (CG-64) USS Lake Erie (CG-70) USS Stockdale (DDG-106) USS Gravely (DDG-107)
Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group
USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) USS San Antonio (LPD-17) USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28)
Other Vessels
MV Ocean Trader (Special Operations Support Vessel** 2 naval resupply ships USNS Kanawha and USNS Patuxent USS Wichita (LCS-13) 2 Unknown submarines 5 US Coast Guard cutters deployed to Puerto Rico
Aircraft Deployments
10 F-35Bs of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA-225) @ Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico 3 P-8 Poseidons @ Puerto Rico & El Salvador 6 MQ-9 drones in Puerto Rico & El Salvador 1 AC-130 Gunship rotating between El Salvador & Puerto Rico
Trinidad and Tobago has reportedly placed its forced on maximum alert "State One".
A memo circulated to members yesterday stated that the TTDF has been moved to State One Alert Level—the highest level of operational readiness.
According to the order, all soldiers are to report to their bases by 6 p.m., with a general muster scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Express understands from multiple intelligence and military sources that soldiers have been directed to return to the four main military bases at Cumuto, La Romaine, Chaguaramas and Long Circular, while Coast Guard officers have been told to report to Staubles Bay, Galeota Point and the Cedros Security Complex.
WP is reporting that Maduro is requesting support from Russia, Iran, and China; particularly in the form of weapons, radars, and other equipment.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/10/31/russia-venezuela-oil-trump/
