In a decisive step to confront the growing threat of Latin American drug cartels, the United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela’s coast, sources familiar with the plan revealed Monday. The USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson are at the forefront of this mission, signaling President Donald Trump’s commitment to using military might to tackle criminal organizations fueling the U.S. drug crisis.
The operation is robust, involving around 4,000 sailors and Marines dedicated to efforts in the southern Caribbean, according to a U.S. official who spoke anonymously to Reuters. Alongside the destroyers, the mission includes P-8 spy planes, additional warships, and at least one attack submarine.
Operating in international waters and airspace, these forces are poised to conduct extensive surveillance and intelligence-gathering to track cartel activities over several months. If necessary, the official noted, these assets could serve as platforms for targeted strikes to disrupt cartel operations directly.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded indirectly in a televised address, vowing that Venezuela will “defend our seas, our skies and our lands” against what he called “the outlandish, bizarre threat of a declining empire.”
Trump’s Hardline Approach to Cartels
President Trump has prioritized dismantling drug cartels, viewing them as a critical threat to national security and border integrity. In February, his administration classified Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, and other groups as global terrorist organizations, enabling stronger military and law enforcement measures.
Recent efforts include deploying at least two warships to bolster border security and combat drug trafficking. The U.S. military has also ramped up airborne surveillance over Mexican cartels, gathering critical intelligence to map out and disrupt their operations. This latest naval mission off Venezuela builds on those efforts.
A National Mission to Stop the Drug Flow
Halting the influx of illegal drugs into the U.S. is a central pillar of the Trump administration’s agenda. The deployment off Venezuela’s coast is a direct response to the devastating impact of narcotics, particularly fentanyl, which has fueled a public health crisis across American communities.
By targeting cartels in their operational strongholds, the administration seeks to dismantle the networks responsible for producing and distributing these drugs.
This military operation also aligns with Trump’s focus on strengthening border security and curbing illegal immigration, which he links to cartel activities.
The terrorist designation for groups like the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua provides an extra motive to deploy advanced military assets, from Aegis destroyers to surveillance aircraft, in a show of force against these criminal enterprises.
The scale of this deployment reflects a strategic pivot, treating drug trafficking as a national security issue rather than solely a law enforcement challenge.
By positioning powerful naval assets near Venezuela, the administration aims to disrupt cartel operations while sending a clear message: the U.S. will use its full resources to protect its citizens from the scourge of illegal drugs.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you updated on this U.S. Naval operation.
