With US Warships on the Way, Venezuela Reacts

Tensions are ratcheting up along Venezuela's Caribbean coast following President Trump's decision to send three US guided-missile destroyers and 4,000 Marines to the region. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino on Tuesday announced enhanced patrols in the region, including "larger vessels further north in our territorial waters" and a "significant" drone presence. A source tells the AFP Trump intends to send an additional two ships to the region, and the Miami Herald offers some context:

• "The Pentagon has not publicly announced the deployments or their objectives. But senior administration officials have signaled they align with Trump's broader pledge to use all elements of American power—from economic sanctions to military force—to stem the flow of narcotics into the United States and pursue those behind it."

Washington has accused President Nicolas Maduro of heading the so-called Cartel de los Soles—a charge Venezuela denies—and recently increased its reward for Maduro's capture to $50 million. The US Justice Department also seized a plane linked to Maduro, alleging sanction violations. Despite the military buildup, analysts see little chance that the US would actually strike the country.

Caracas has asked the United Nations to demand the US yank its military deployment from the Caribbean. Venezuela this week announced it is sending 15,000 troops to the border with Colombia to target drug trafficking and said it recently disrupted shipyards where traffickers planned to construct "narco subs."