Escalating U.S. Military Presence Near Venezuela Raises Alarm

Sat Nov 22 2025 07:38:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has significantly increased its military deployment near Venezuela, including warships and aircraft. Speculation about potential military action against the Maduro government is rising as tensions escalate.

In a notable military build-up, the U.S. has deployed thousands of troops, aircraft, and warships near Venezuela, marking the largest military presence in Latin America in decades. This move has intensified fears of potential military intervention and comes amidst ongoing operations targeting drug trafficking in the region. Experts highlight the risks of escalating tensions and the suspicion that the U.S. may be preparing for more direct actions against Venezuela's government, led by President Nicolás Maduro.

Several US military planes have been identified operating off the coast of Venezuela, as tensions continue to rise in the region.

The US has already deployed thousands of troops and the world's largest warship to within striking distance of the country.

The build-up is the largest US military presence in Latin America in decades and has sparked speculation about the potential for some kind of military action against Venezuela.

This comes after a series of US airstrikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific in recent months, which the Trump administration says are necessary to stem the flow of drugs.

BBC Verify has been tracking the warships and planes involved in the military build-up so far.

Where are US warships?

The build-up in the Caribbean began in August with the deployment of air and naval forces, including a nuclear-powered submarine and spy planes according to US officials.

It now includes a range of aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, and amphibious assault ships capable of landing thousands of troops.

BBC Verify has confirmed the locations of six warships in the region this month by cross-referencing ship-tracking data and satellite imagery.

This includes the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, described by the US Navy as the most capable, adaptable, and lethal combat platform in the world. The ship, which travels in a strike group with other supporting vessels, is more than 330 metres (1,100 feet) long.

What about planes?

The US has also deployed F-35 fighter jets to its bases in the Caribbean and has flown bombers and spy planes over the region.

BBC Verify used flight tracking data to identify four US military aircraft flying near Venezuela on 20 and 21 November.

A US B-52 long-range bomber briefly appeared on flight tracking website Flightradar24 off Guyana, Venezuela's eastern neighbour, at around 23:45 GMT (19:45 local time) on 20 November.

The data shows the bomber - call sign TIMEX11 - departed from the US state of North Dakota that afternoon and landed back there the following morning.

In October, three B-52 bombers took off from an airbase in Louisiana and circled off the coast of Venezuela before returning.

Is the US preparing to attack Venezuela?

The build-up has prompted concerns that the US is preparing to directly target Venezuela, or potentially try to topple the socialist government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The Venezuelan government has accused the US of stoking tensions in the region, with the aim of toppling the government.

In response in November they declared a massive mobilisation of troops, which saw 200,000 personnel sent across the country.

Why is the US conducting strikes?

Trump and members of his administration have justified the strikes as necessary to stem the flow of narcotics from Latin America to the US.

While US forces have not publicly identified the people killed, they have alleged they were all narco-terrorists.

The Trump administration has insisted that the strikes are legal, justifying them as a necessary self-defence measure aimed at saving American lives.

But some legal experts have said that the strikes could be illegal and violate international law by targeting civilians, with no due process afforded to the suspects.