The U.S. Escalates Military Presence in the Caribbean as Peace Talks Resume in Europe
In the latest developments, the United States is pursuing peace talks to ease Russia’s terms for a cease-fire with Ukraine in Europe while significantly increasing its military presence in the Caribbean, targeting Venezuela’s Cartel de los Soles. This dual strategy includes labeling the cartel as a terrorist group, expanding naval operations, and planning covert CIA actions in Venezuela. The U.S. has moved to label the cartel as a terrorist organization and is expanding its naval operations in the region, marking the largest U.S. military presence in Southern Command’s area in a generation.
The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is heading to the Caribbean Sea, signaling a significant military escalation. President Donald Trump has reportedly approved CIA covert measures inside Venezuela, including operations that may precede direct military action, with U.S. planners having already drawn up target lists for cartel sites. Analysts suggest that the U.S. could soon launch direct strikes on Venezuelan territory to remove Nicolás Maduro from power.
Meanwhile, Russia’s influence in Venezuela is being managed by Colonel General Oleg Makarevich, who has been reassigned to oversee Russian military training for Venezuelan forces. While there are reports of Russian military advisors in Venezuela, some experts question if Moscow would support Maduro militarily, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Analysts note that Russia’s footprint in Latin America is modest compared to China’s economic expansion, with its influence mainly through media and selective economic pressure.
Experts caution that the U.S. escalation in Venezuela and its peace overtures in Europe may not be part of a coordinated plan. They suggest that the overlap might be coincidental rather than a strategic move. Despite Russia’s presence in Venezuela, its capacity to project power in the Western Hemisphere remains limited, with any response likely to be confined to intelligence sharing and disinformation rather than direct combat support. The potential for U.S. kinetic action is rising, with possible strikes on Venezuelan targets expected to occur before the holiday season, highlighting the high stakes of this two-track strategy.