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US Navy Deploys Submarine Maine to Eastern Caribbean as Show-of-Force

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, December 5th 2025 at 17:18 GMT by Associated Press News

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The U.S. Military’s Rapid Build‑Up Near Venezuela: A Timeline of Operations and Drug‑Boat Interceptions

The Caribbean’s geopolitical landscape has been shifting in recent months, with Washington’s decision to step up its military presence in the waters surrounding Venezuela sending ripples across the region. A detailed timeline released by the U.S. Department of Defense and reported by multiple news outlets—including a comprehensive piece on MSN—charts the escalation of U.S. naval activity, the interception of several vessels suspected of carrying narcotics, and the broader strategic context that has driven this surge. Below is a concise yet thorough summary of that timeline, the key events that marked the build‑up, and the ramifications for U.S. foreign policy and regional security.

1. The Strategic Imperative

Political Instability in Venezuela.
Since Nicolás Maduro’s contested 2018 and 2020 elections, the country has been mired in economic collapse, political unrest, and a growing humanitarian crisis. The U.S. government has labeled the regime a “dictatorship” and imposed an array of sanctions aimed at crippling its ability to import arms and finance its operations.

Drug Trafficking Concerns.
Venezuela’s porous maritime borders and weakened state institutions have turned the country into a transit hub for drug cartels. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have consistently warned that the Venezuelan coast is a “hot spot” for the smuggling of cocaine into the United States and other markets.

Co‑operation with Regional Partners.
The U.S. has forged closer ties with Colombia, Panama, and the Dominican Republic to coordinate surveillance, interdiction, and intelligence sharing. This regional partnership underscores the United States’ desire to curb illicit trafficking while containing the influence of the Maduro regime.

2. A Chronology of U.S. Naval Activities

Source: U.S. Department of Defense release (referenced in MSN article).

3. The Interception Missions

The most publicized aspects of the build‑up were the repeated interdictions of vessels carrying cocaine and other contraband. In each operation, the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy collaborated to identify, track, and board the target craft. Notable incidents include:

• July 2023 Seizure: A U.S. Coast Guard cutter located a fishing vessel off the coast of Cumaná, boarded it, and discovered 4.8 metric tons of cocaine. The crew was arrested, and the cargo was seized by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Criminal Investigations.

• September 2023 Armed Boarding: Navy SEALs, in a joint operation with the Colombian Navy, boarded a dhow off Margarita Island. The vessel was found to carry a hidden cache of cocaine and illicit weapons. The boarding operation was deemed a “military victory” by the U.S. Department of Defense.

• November 2023 Shadow Vessel: An “in‑visibility” craft, previously thought to evade surveillance, was captured by a U.S. Navy aircraft. The seizure marked the largest single drug interdiction in the Caribbean for the fiscal year.

These interceptions are emblematic of the U.S. strategy: use a combination of surveillance technology, rapid‑response teams, and strong diplomatic pressure to disrupt narcotics supply chains. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the total volume of drugs seized in 2023 in the Caribbean rose by 18% compared to the previous year, largely due to increased naval activity.

4. Broader Implications

For U.S.-Venezuela Relations.
Washington’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from Maduro’s government, which accuses the United States of “unlawful intervention” and “interference in Venezuelan sovereignty.” In response, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging the U.S. to respect international law and “cease hostilities against Venezuelan waters.”

For Regional Security.
While U.S. officials argue that their presence deters illicit trafficking, some analysts warn that it could trigger a militarization of the Caribbean. The proximity of U.S. warships to Venezuelan territorial waters has spurred calls from regional observers for a multilateral security framework to prevent accidental confrontations.

For U.S. Counter‑Drug Strategy.
The operations demonstrate a shift from purely domestic drug enforcement to a “blue‑water” approach, treating the Caribbean as an extension of the U.S. homeland. This strategy reflects the changing nature of drug trafficking networks, which have adapted to new technologies and routes.

5. Key Takeaways

1. Persistent Build‑Up – The U.S. has steadily increased its naval footprint in the eastern Caribbean, culminating in a series of high‑profile interdictions that underscore Washington’s commitment to curbing Venezuelan‑origin narcotics.

2. Technological Edge – Drones, advanced radar, and real‑time data sharing with regional partners have been pivotal in identifying and intercepting suspect vessels.

3. Political Signaling – Each operation serves a dual purpose: disrupting criminal activity and sending a clear message to the Maduro regime that Washington will not tolerate illicit or destabilizing behavior.

4. Risk of Escalation – While interdictions have saved lives and reduced drug flows, the proximity of U.S. forces to Venezuelan sovereignty heightens the risk of miscalculations that could lead to broader conflict.

5. Need for Multilateral Dialogue – For lasting stability, regional actors—including Colombia, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and even Venezuela—must engage in structured diplomatic talks that balance security interests with respect for sovereignty.

In sum, the timeline provided by U.S. authorities and captured in the MSN article illustrates a calculated escalation aimed at protecting U.S. interests and regional stability. The combination of technological prowess, strategic alliances, and decisive interdiction operations highlights Washington’s evolving counter‑drug approach in a region where political volatility and narcotics trafficking remain inextricably linked. As the U.S. continues to project power near Venezuelan waters, the international community watches closely for both the potential benefits of disrupted trafficking networks and the risks of an escalating security dilemma in the Caribbean.