Relations between the United States and Venezuela face tensions that passed from verbal threats to military acts. In fact, On Monday the administration of Donald Trump announced the deployment of three ships to waters near Venezuela, it is the USS Serly, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson.
The US deployment will include some 4,000 sailors and marine infants in the southern Caribbean, in addition to several P-8 recognition planes, warships and at least one attack submarine. The personnel and military resources will operate in international waters and airspace for several months. In addition to intelligence and surveillance tasks, naval forces could be used for selective attacks. Trump has shown a willingness to use the military force against drug cartels in Latin America.
Manuela Jiménez, associate control analyst Risks, said that the recent escalation in relations between the United States and Venezuela is not surprising, since Washington’s strategy to Caracas develops on two fronts. “With the support of Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, the White House has explored the dialogue with the Maduro government, mainly to safeguard US interests in the oil sector.
This approach responds to the policy of “America First”, which prioritizes economic profits and favorable energy agreements abroad, even if it implies dealing with a strongly sanctioned regime”
Washington has opted for a maximum pressure strategy to try to weaken the Maduro regime. Among the most visible measures are the intensification of military operations in the Caribbean, the designation of the Los Soles poster as a specially designated global terrorist organization and The increase to US $ 50 million from the reward by the Venezuelan president, the highest figure in the history of the United States.
“With this package of shares, the White House seeks to cut the sources of financing linked to drug trafficking and isolate Maduro from the international financial system, although the real effect could be limited, since a good part of those resources move through informal channels difficult to track,” Jiménez explained.
The United States is still determined to intensify its pressure on Venezuela, not only with a greater military deployment in the Caribbean, but also encouraging other countries in the region to join the fight against drug trafficking and the poster of the Suns, which would increase the fence on the Maduro regime. “More than preparing a military intervention, Washington seeks to send a direct message to the high Venezuelan commanders, who constitute the central support of Maduro. It is a maneuver aimed at fragmenting those support and to raise the psychological pressure on the president, who has already given signals of restlessness with recent changes in his military dome, ”he said.
How are they equipped?
The USS Serly is not a common ship; His combat capacity makes him a true floating strength. Part of the Arleight Burke class is prepared to meet attack missions, air defense and anti -submarine war. Its effectiveness in strategic operations is due to a set of advanced systems and specialized armament.
Gravely also has SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, which support maritime interdiction and patrol missions, and has personnel from the Office of International Narcotics Affairs and application of the Law, INL, of the Coast Guard, which reinforces its role in the fight against drug trafficking. The USS Sampson is a guided missile destroyer of the Arleight Burke class (DDG-102) of the US Navy. Equipped with a vertical launch system that allows you to shoot aerial defense missiles. Its presence in the region is not new: the Sampson has visited ports in the Caribbean and has participated in joint exercises with other armed, reinforcing military cooperation.
Nicolás Maduro’s response to United States threats
Nicolás Maduro informed that he will deploy 4.5 million militiamen in response to US threats to send the destroyers and increase the reward for information that leads to his capture. “Display all militia capacity in the territory and by sectors. Establish the capacity of the Bolivarian militia in all the territories of the country“He said. Without referring to the ships, Maduro said that Venezuela” will defend our seas, skies and lands. “
