US Military Build Up Near Venezuela | Aug 9th-28th 2025

[william]

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has directed the Pentagon to prepare options for use of military force against several drug cartels in Latin America that were designated as foreign terrorist organizations earlier this year. Options under discussion are said to be focused on special forces operations, intelligence support and precision targeting, with any military action to be coordinated with Mexico as well as other foreign partners in Central and South America.

Are you paying attention Maduro

https://twitter.com/x/status/1954051528630628596

 

[william]

Trump doubles reward to $50 million for arrest of Venezuela’s president to face US drug charges​

Maduro will not escape justice and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday in a video announcing the reward.

Maduro was indicted in Manhattan federal court in 2020, during the first Trump presidency, along with several close allies on federal charges of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. Nearly 7 tons of seized cocaine had been traced directly to the leftist leader.

Trump doubles reward to $50 million for arrest of Venezuela's president to face US drug charges

The Trump administration is doubling to $50 million a reward for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and accusing him of working with cartels to flood the U.S. with fentanyl-laced cocaine.

apnews.com

 

[william]

US imposes sanctions on El Chapo’s fugitive sons, offers $10 million reward for their capture​

The United States imposed sanctions on the two fugitive sons of incarcerated Mexican Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and announced a reward offer of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the men.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Archivaldo Ivan Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar who are believed to be currently located in Mexico.

Guzman’s other sons — Joaquin Guzman Lopez and Ovidio Guzman Lopez — are currently incarcerated in the United States.

Sanctions were also imposed on a faction of the Sinaloa cartel known as the “Chapitos,” or little Chapos, which has been identified as a main exporter of fentanyl to the U.S. as well as a regional network of Chapitos associates and businesses based in Mazatlan, Mexico, that allegedly engage in drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering.

“At the Department of the Treasury, we are executing on President Trump’s mandate to completely eliminate drug cartels and take on violent leaders like ‘El Chapo’s’ children,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.

The Sinaloa Cartel, through various incarnations, is Mexico’s oldest criminal group, dating to the 1970s. One of their most lucrative businesses in recent years has been the production of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U.S. The Trump administration in February labeled the Sinaloa cartel a foreign terrorist organization.

Updated June 9, 2025

US imposes sanctions on El Chapo's fugitive sons, offers $10 million reward for their capture

The U.S. imposed sanctions on the two fugitive sons of incarcerated Mexican Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and announced a reward offer of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the sons.

apnews.com

 

[william]

Marco Rubio Hints At Escalation Against Venezuelan Maduro:​

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at an escalation against Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, saying actions could go beyond a hefty reward for information that could lead to his arrest.

"They are calling him a dictator because he is. He is the head of a drug-trafficking logistics organization, the Cartel of the Suns, which is basically run by the military," Rubio said.

Rubio said that "at some point we have to take these people on with more than just rewards." Last week, Attorney General Pam Bondi raised the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million, saying he "will not escape justice and he will be held accountable for his despicable crimes."

The official went on to say that "they basically allow drug dealers not just to move drugs through Venezuela, but also to use military facilities." "It's like a drug cartel took control of a national territory. They need to be treated for what it is: a narco-terrorist regime that has empowered itself on Venezuelan territory."

Marco Rubio Hints At Escalation Against Venezuelan Maduro: 'Have To Take These People On With More Than Just Rewards'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted at an escalation against Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, saying "at some point we have to take these people on with ore than just rewards."

www.latintimes.com

 

[william]

Analysts Warn U.S. Could Conduct Military Strikes Against Cartels Without Mexico's Consent​

Two analysts are warning that President Donald Trump could order military strikes on Mexican soil even without the authorization of counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum, noting that a "lack of permission never stopped the U.S. from carrying out drone strikes in the Middle East."

In an article published on Politico, Eric Bazail-Eimil and Jack Detsch also noted that U.S. authorities didn't tell Mexican counterparts about the arrests of drug lords Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez until they were in custody.

Trump officials have hinted at escalating attacks against cartels, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claiming that forces are "observing" criminal organizations.

Speaking to Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Hegseth said fighting criminal organizations is a priority for the Trump administration. "We are observing them. We know a bit more about them than what they think. We've spent a long time watching them," he added.

Hegseth went on to say that cartels will be targeted based on Trump's orders, but avoided confirming whether sending troops into Mexico is under consideration.

"I can't reveal anything, but that's not what I'm saying," the official claimed when asked directly about a military incursion or a drone attack." "We're not standing with our arms crossed about this anymore."

Analysts Warn U.S. Could Conduct Military Strikes Against Cartels Without Mexico's Consent

Two analysts are warning that President Donald Trump could unilaterally order strikes on Mexican cartels, noting his frequent disregard for "a lack of permission"

www.latintimes.com

 

[william]

A MQ-9B “Guardian” with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) going by the callsign: TROY701 was orbiting for several hours earlier today to the west of Mexico City, near the Valle de Bravo Reservoir in the State of Mexico.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955649182536208548

 

[william]

SEC RUBIO: MADURO'S CARTEL IS POSING AS GOVERNMENT AND WILL BE CRUSHED

https://twitter.com/x/status/1956040623082942842

 

[william]

The U.S. military is deploying air and naval units to the Southern Caribbean Sea to counter threats from Latin American cartels.

Big stick!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1955943756839989558

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-08-14/us-military-deploying-forces-to-southern-caribbean-against-drug-groups

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/u-s-military-southern-caribbean/2025/08/14/id/1222433/

Southern Caribbean sees US military build-up to combat drug cartels

The United States has begun deploying air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea to counter what it calls threats from Latin American drug cartels, Reuters reported Thursday.

trinidadexpress.com

 

[Publius]

We fired hellfire missiles all over the Middle East for 20 years. But somehow cartel operations in Mexico or Venezuela’s are some how off limits.

Now if you opposed drone happy Obama hitting targets from Ethiopia to Afghanistan then you have an argument to make.
If not your on thin ice.

 

[william]

In a massive show of force, President Trump is deploying 4,000 to the Caribbean aboard a flotilla of ships including Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, a nuclear-powered attack submarine, multiple P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, several destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser. Things are about to get very uncomfortable for the drug cartels. Gloves are off.

I was in the 22nd. 1/6 Charlie, Weapons
Semper Fidelis

https://twitter.com/x/status/1956409105654157733

 

[RockerMan]

US military deploying over 4,000 additional troops to waters around Latin America as part of Trump’s counter-cartel mission | CNN Politics

The US military is deploying more than 4,000 Marines and sailors to the waters around Latin America and the Caribbean as part of a ramped-up effort to combat drug cartels, two US defense officials told CNN — a dramatic show of force that will give the president a broad range of military options...

amp.cnn.com

 

[intel-bank]

Those evil cartels. Save the children, um pedophiles. Yea Mexican pedo cartels we are going after them. To save the children.
Just for your safety.

 

[tofemaster]

Those evil cartels. Save the children, um pedophiles. Yea Mexican pedo cartels we are going after them. To save the children.
Just for your safety.

the cartels are no joke living in a border state right now myself and i can assure you that no english/tattoos on the face is a guaranteed dangerous encounter even in broad daylight. people get kidnapped and murdered daily in NM and not even 1/100th of it sees national news. then you got people like this who live thousands of miles inland and think they know what we deal with

 

[intel-bank]

the cartels are no joke living in a border state right now myself and i can assure you that no english/tattoos on the face is a guaranteed dangerous encounter even in broad daylight. people get kidnapped and murdered daily in NM and not even 1/100th of it sees national news. then you got people like this who live thousands of miles inland and think they know what we deal with

I live in one of the most notorious cartel cities on the west coast. This place is owned basically by the cartels. The cartels will leave bodies out on the reservation sometimes. If you were targeted by the cartels here, the cops won’t even investigate it. Republican dominated city but very high migrant population and I think last time I did the math about 10% of the people in my community are illegal.

The vast majority of the illegals do not commit crimes beyond entering the country illegally, they also can be known to drive without licenses. If you don’t get involved with things you shouldn’t, you don’t get targeted by the cartels. The cartels widely are using American citizens anyway. They generally are outsourcing things on this side of the border to American street gangs.

I am not scared. This is a safe city compared to other places I’ve lived(places where there are virtually no migrants in fact) I do not fear people with tattoos. I don’t even fear the cartel. I fear the government is targeting a large portion of my community. Because these people(illegals and Hispanics in general) are part of my community. Our illegals make your beer, almost guarantee it.

And you know what? I fear a war with cartels will be used to justify heinous actions against not just the illegals in my community, but the legal ones too. The American ones too. Hell, Trump says another solid chunk of my community (birthright Americans of Hispanic decent) are not citizens.

“War against the cartels” sounds great but it’s also a way to justify heinous actions.

Honestly I think you are very much misled about the actual danger you are facing. People say my city is absurdly dangerous. People think this place is Nuevo Laredo or something. But if you don’t get involved with the cartels usually these days they very much avoid causing issues on this side of the border that might set off the US government. Don’t get up to no good and the cartels will never be a problem for you.

 

[william]

U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air-Cushions (LCAC) onload Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) and military equipment aboard the Wasp-Class Amphibious Assault Ship, USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), in the Atlantic Ocean, enroute to their deployment area in the Southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of Latin America.

I don't believe the LCACs have been used in combat. YET!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1957300998172524910

 

[william]

Three Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyers: USS Sampson (DDG-102), USS Gravely (DDG-107), and USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), have been ordered off the coast of Venezuela by the U.S. Navy, with them expected to arrive in the area within the next 36 hours, as part of a naval task force recently deployed to the Southern Caribbean Sea.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1957628680060170296

 

[william]

Q: "US warships are being sent to Venezuela. There's 4,000 Marines onboard. Are you looking at boots on the ground there?

"PRESS SEC: "President Trump has been very clear and consistent, he's prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country." "Maduro is not a legitimate President."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1957866766354592175

 

[william]

Strong words. Are we going to see something like this again?

Operation Just Cause

https://twitter.com/x/status/1958031273030484111

 

[william]

Venezuela's Maduro Bans Use of Drones as Tensions Over Deployment of U.S. Warships Escalate​

The Maduro regime has temporarily banned the purchase, sale, and operation of drones in Venezuelan territory, citing national security concerns as tensions with the United States continue to escalate.

Venezuela's Maduro Bans Use of Drones As Tensions Over Deployment Of U.S. Warships Escalate

The Maduro regime has temporarily banned the purchase, sale, and operation of drones in Venezuelan territory, citing national security concerns as tensions with the United States intensify.

www.latintimes.com

 

[william]

GOP Rep. Claims, 'Maduro Regime Is Breaking Up' As U.S. Sends Warships Off the Venezuelan Coast: 'Some Have Already Fled'​

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez claimed on Tuesday that Venezuela's authoritarian government is collapsing as U.S. warships continue moving towards waters off its coast.

Gimenez, who has been celebrating the development since Monday night, said he has sources "informing that the Maduro regime is breaking up." "People close to the dictator are turning and others have already fled," he added.

In another publication he claimed that "Maduro's days are numbered," adding that "America will not stand by while this thug tries to flood our country with drugs & ruthlessly murder the brave people of Venezuela."

GOP Rep. Claims 'Maduro Regime Is Breaking Up' As U.S. Sends Warships Off The Venezuelan Coast: 'Some Have Already Fled'

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez claimed Venezuela's authoritarian government is collapsing as U.S. warships move towards waters off its coast

www.latintimes.com