Venezuela launched a massive military exercise Tuesday involving 200,000 troops in response to the growing U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, according to CBS News. The announcement followed confirmation from the U.S. Department of Defense that the nuclear-powered USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, had entered the Southern Command’s area of operations, which covers Latin America.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accused the U.S. of “executing defenseless people” in recent anti-drug strikes that have killed at least 76 people since September.
Washington says the operations target drug trafficking vessels linked to criminal networks.
🚨 BREAKING: Venezuela launches massive military exercise with 200,000 troops amid rising US activity in the Caribbean! 🇻🇪✈️🚢
— Flash News Bite (@FlashNewsBite) November 12, 2025
The USS Gerald Ford enters the region as tensions escalate. What’s next in this high-stakes standoff?#Venezuela #MilitaryExercise #USNavy… pic.twitter.com/fj7MYQGX1a
The buildup has fueled fears of escalating confrontation between President Donald Trump’s administration and Nicolás Maduro’s regime, which remains under U.S. sanctions.
Neighboring Colombia has suspended intelligence sharing with Washington, calling the U.S. attacks illegal.
Padrino vowed that any U.S. aggression would be met with “a nation united to defend itself to the death.”
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
