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Venezuela Conducts Military Exercise Amid U.S. Naval Buildup in Caribbean

2025-11-12

The BareStory

Venezuela launched a nationwide military exercise on Tuesday, an event its Ministry of Defense described as a response to an increased U.S. military presence in the region. According to the ministry, the drills involve 200,000 personnel from the nation’s land, air, and sea forces.

The exercise coincides with the U.S. Department of Defense confirming that the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has entered the U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility, which includes the Caribbean. The U.S. has also reportedly deployed F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico and six other Navy ships to the area.

In a televised address, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino announced the exercise and referenced ongoing U.S. military strikes against vessels in international waters. The U.S. administration has described these strikes, which began in September, as part of an anti-drug offensive. Padrino accused the U.S. of killing at least 76 people in these operations, which he called the murder of "defenseless people." He stated that any foreign attack on Venezuela would be met with a united national defense.

The situation has drawn a response from neighboring Colombia, whose President Gustavo Petro ordered a halt to intelligence sharing with the U.S. on Tuesday. Petro stated the directive would remain as long as missile attacks on boats in the Caribbean continue, adding that the fight against drugs "must be subordinated to human rights."

Left Perspective

  • The nation's military drills are a defensive response to U.S. regional actions.
  • U.S. military operations in the Caribbean constitute aggression and murder.
  • The situation has prompted a regional ally to suspend cooperation with the U.S.

Right Perspective

  • The U.S. has significantly increased its naval and air presence in the Caribbean.
  • Its military strikes are part of a declared anti-drug offensive.
  • Its actions have drawn criticism over human rights from regional leaders.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• The U.S. has deployed significant naval and air power to the Caribbean for a declared anti-drug offensive involving military strikes.

• The offensive's effectiveness may be affected, as Colombia has halted intelligence sharing with the U.S., citing human rights concerns.

• The situation has prompted a large-scale Venezuelan military exercise in response, increasing military activity in the region.

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