The United States has deployed three Navy destroyers and approximately 4,000 troops to waters off Venezuela, escalating pressure on President Nicolas Maduro less than two weeks after announcing a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest, as reported [1] by The Gateway Pundit.
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump and SecDef Pete Hegseth just sent out 3 United States Navy destroyers, joined by an attack submarine, near Venezuela to crack down on the cartels. The gloves are finally coming off. pic.twitter.com/nSG9RMlbVd [2]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 19, 2025 [3]
According to U.S. officials, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson have been dispatched to the southern Caribbean.
The deployment is part of an operation aimed at combating threats posed by Latin American drug cartels, which the Trump administration has designated as global terrorist organizations.
Estas tres bellezas se están acercando a las costas de Venezuela o ponte si ya no llegaron.
USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham y USS Sampson#VenezuelaLibre [4] #MarCaribe [5] #HayMaduro [6] pic.twitter.com/hOjUZ6QfYn [7]— Catg. 🪀 🐦 (@CarlosTDrums) August 19, 2025 [8]
A U.S. official told Reuters that in addition to the destroyers, the broader mission will include several P-8 reconnaissance aircraft, additional naval warships, and at least one attack submarine.
The deployment, involving sailors and Marines, is expected to last for several months and will include intelligence and surveillance operations in international waters and airspace.
The ships could also serve as platforms for potential targeted strikes against cartel infrastructure and assets.
President Donald Trump has previously vowed to use military power to disrupt Latin American cartels, which his administration formally labeled terrorist organizations in February.
Among those groups are Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, other major gangs in the region, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal network.
