The American forces in the area reportedly include eight Navy ships, a special operations vessel, and a nuclear-powered submarine<\/p>\n
The US is deploying a massive military contingent to an area near Venezuela, including 10,000 soldiers and 6,000 sailors, the Washington Post has reported. The move may indicate plans to expand regional operations.
\nThe US has repeatedly accused Venezuela of aiding \u201cnarcoterrorists\u201d and has imposed sweeping sanctions on the country. The American military has also attacked about a dozen vessels since September, claiming they were used by drug smugglers.
\nVenezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro has denied the allegations, accusing Washington of \u201cfabricating a new war\u201d amid the continuing military buildup.
\nAccording to the Washington Post, eight US Navy warships, a special operations vessel, and a nuclear-powered attack submarine are already in the Caribbean. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, expected to arrive next week, will reportedly bring with it three more military vessels, with a total of over 4,000 military personnel onboard.
\nAdditionally, F-35 fighter jets are stationed at a US base in Puerto Rico, the Post reported, citing satellite images.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Trump denies planning strikes in Venezuela<\/p>\n
The arrival of the carrier group suggests Washington\u2019s plans could extend beyond a counter-narcotics operation, Ryan Berg, the director of the Americas Program and the Center for Strategic & International Studies, told the outlet. He added that US President Donald Trump has about a month to make \u201ca major decision\u201d before the group would need to be redeployed.
\nMultiple media outlets have recently reported that the White House was weighing potential military actions in Venezuela. Senator Rick Scott told CBS last Sunday that Maduro\u2019s \u201cdays are numbered.\u201d The WaPo claimed on Thursday that Washington had already identified some targets, including military facilities allegedly used for drug-smuggling.
\nWhen asked about the reports on Friday, Trump said, \u201cNo. It\u2019s not true.\u201d Last month, Trump confirmed authorizing the CIA to carry out lethal covert operations in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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