The United States has deployed the USS Iwo Jima and USS Gravely near Venezuela, intensifying its naval presence in the Caribbean and signaling potential military action against the Maduro regime. The move follows recent U.S. airstrikes and comes as the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group prepares to enter the region, significantly boosting Washington’s strategic capabilities.
Satellite imagery reveals the USS Iwo Jima, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and the USS Gravely, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, positioning themselves 124 miles from Venezuela’s La Orchila Island. This location places them within striking distance of key Venezuelan military infrastructure, including airbases and radar facilities. Analysts suggest that the deployment could precede coordinated strikes on installations linked to the Maduro-tied Soles drug cartel.
U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) remarked, “If I was Maduro, I’d head to Russia or China right now,” highlighting the growing pressure on Caracas. The U.S. military has also mobilized 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.
Potential airstrikes are expected to involve F-35s from Puerto Rico and the USS Ford’s flight deck, alongside unspecified assets operating from Curaçao, an island near Venezuela’s coast. The USS Iwo Jima, accompanied by Marines and advanced aircraft, is positioned to conduct amphibious assaults or precision raids.
The escalating military activity underscores Washington’s heightened readiness for operations in the region, as tensions with Venezuela continue to rise.
