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1h ago

Maduro Warns of '1,200 Missiles' as U.S. Expands Caribbean Deployment Near Venezuela

Washington says the deployment targets drug cartels with no plan announced to enter Venezuelan territory.

Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Sept. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addressed members of the international press
Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal stands during his extradition hearing to the US, at the High Court in Madrid, Spain, on September 12, 2019.

Overview

  • At a rare press conference, President Nicolás Maduro claimed eight U.S. warships and a submarine were targeting Venezuela and declared maximum readiness to defend the country.
  • The U.S. Navy presence includes the cruiser USS Lake Erie, destroyers USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson, and is set to grow with amphibious ships carrying more than 4,000 sailors and Marines this week, according to the Associated Press.
  • Venezuelan officials framed the buildup as a regime‑change threat, with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López saying forces are prepared to fight if U.S. troops enter Venezuelan territory.
  • Caracas has increased coastal and air patrols, deployed troops to the Colombia border, and encouraged citizens to join militia and reserve forces in response to the U.S. posture.
  • The U.S. recently doubled its reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million, while regional responses are split, with Guyana voicing support for the U.S. presence and leaders in Mexico and Colombia criticizing the deployment.