A major buildup of U.S. naval forces is underway outside Venezuela’s waters raising questions whether the Trump administration is preparing for a military confrontation with Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro's government.
Ealy last week, news broke that up to three guided-missile destroyers would soon arrive in the region. The naval warships will target boats operated by drug cartels transporting fentanyl to the United States, officials said, but have not said how they will do so.
Sunday afternoon, we find out that also headed to the region is the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group — including the U.S.S. San Antonio, the U.S.S. Iwo Jima and the U.S.S. Fort Lauderdale, carrying 4,500 sailors — and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, with 2,200 Marines.
Those ships and the Marines departed Norfolk, Va., earlier this week but had to turn around to avoid Hurricane Erin. They are expected to head back out soon and are likely to arrive in the next several days.
Several P-8 surveillance planes and a submarine are also deploying to the region.
The U.S. is saying that Fentanyl ships from Venezuela into the US. The US also says that Venezuela has close relations with both Russia and Iran, and is constructing Iranian DRONE factories, inside Venezuela. Finally, the US says that Venezuela issues legitimate (but bogus) Passports to members of Hezballah.
Several months ago, intel circuits claimed the Russians were setting up facilities for long-range missiles to be in Venezuela, but under Russian control. I did not see any corroborating proof of those claims.
If those claims were correct, the US could be struck by Russian missiles fired from Venezuela a lot fast than those fired from Russia.
These are the kinds of claims that tell the average American, military action is coming - fast.
