President Donald Trump has sharply expanded U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, bringing the number of deployed troops in the region to roughly 10,000 as part of an escalating campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to several reports.
A Pentagon official told The Hill Oct. 16 that most of the U.S. forces are based in Puerto Rico, while Marines are deployed on ships nearby. The Navy currently has eight ships and one submarine operating in the Caribbean Sea, the outlet reported.
On FOX News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime” Oct. 16, Watters reported that special operations helicopters were spotted roughly 90 miles off Venezuela’s coast, adding that “10% of U.S. naval power” is now positioned in the area.
The military buildup follows five U.S. strikes on boats off Venezuela’s coast that the Trump administration said were smuggling drugs. The strikes have killed 27 people.
On Oct. 15, Trump confirmed that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, CatholicVote reported. Asked in the Oval Office why he approved “the CIA to go into Venezuela,” Trump replied that “they have emptied their prisons” and trafficked drugs into the U.S.
The escalation has prompted bipartisan backlash in Washington. A group of senators introduced a resolution Oct. 17 to block the administration from “engag[ing] in hostilities” in Venezuela under a War Powers Resolution, arguing that only Congress can authorize war.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who joined the resolution, warned that “the American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote.”
The White House responded sharply to the resolution, citing the President’s authority over the military.
“As Commander-in-Chief, the President has acted within the laws of armed conflict to protect our country from those trying to bring poison to our shores,” spokesperson Anna Kelly told FOX News Digital. “It is obscene that these lawmakers would try to run cover for evil narco-terrorists as over 100,000 Americans die from overdoses every year.”
In recent months, the administration has widened its pressure campaign. In August, it announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction. In February, Trump also designated the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization.
FOX News reported that, in response to the U.S. campaign, Maduro launched large-scale military exercises and troop deployments along Venezuela’s border with Colombia in August.
Speaking to reporters Oct. 17, Trump also confirmed that Venezuelan officials had offered the U.S. a large stake in the country’s oil, gold, and other natural resources in an attempt to halt U.S. actions taken against the regime.
“[Maduro] has offered everything. He’s offered everything,” Trump said. “You know why? Because he doesn’t want to f*** around with the United States.”
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