U.S. Guided-Missile Cruiser Crosses Panama Canal Amidst Increased Naval Presence Near Venezuela

On a recent Friday night, the USS Lake Erie, a U.S. guided-missile cruiser, made its way through the Panama Canal, traveling from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean. This movement comes as part of the U.S. military’s presence near Venezuela, which officials claim is aimed at combating drug trafficking.

As the cruiser passed through one of the locks around 9:30 p.m., local residents were taken by surprise. One onlooker, Alfredo Cedeno, a 32-year-old health technician, snapped photos and expressed his astonishment at the sight.

The Lake Erie had been stationed at the Port of Rodman for the previous couple of days. While Washington has positioned warships near Venezuela, they emphasize the operation’s focus on anti-drug efforts. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been accused of leading drug trafficking operations, prompting the U.S. to double the bounty on his capture to $50 million.

Despite the military maneuvers, the U.S. has not indicated any plans for invasion. In response, Venezuela has sent 15,000 security forces to its border with Colombia to address drug trafficking. The country also announced plans to patrol its waters using drones and navy ships, enhancing its defensive measures.

Maduro recently mobilized over four million militia members, citing “outlandish threats” from the U.S. Thousands of ordinary citizens, including civil servants and retirees, have joined this militia effort, reflecting the heightened nationalistic spirit in Venezuela.

Since assuming office in January, President Trump has intensified his focus on Venezuelan gangs, which have connections to drug trafficking both locally and internationally. His “maximum pressure” strategy, including an ongoing oil embargo against Venezuela, has not succeeded in removing Maduro from power. Efforts in the past, like seizing a plane belonging to Maduro, have also failed to bring about significant change.

In a recent declaration, Maduro asserted that it was impossible for U.S. forces to invade Venezuela, despite the deployment of warships in the region. The USS Lake Erie, measuring 567 feet and displacing nearly 10,000 tons, is based in San Diego, California.

In a broader context, the Trump administration aims to take a tougher stance on drug cartels in Latin America, labeling them as terrorist organizations. Reports indicate that plans may be in the works to enable military action against these groups. However, Mexico has firmly rejected the idea of U.S. military involvement on its soil, with President Claudia Sheinbaum affirming there would be “no invasion of Mexico.”

In February, the U.S. designated eight significant drug trafficking organizations as terrorist groups. Six are tied to Mexico, one is based in Venezuela, and another has roots in El Salvador. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that these designations would allow the administration to utilize various resources, including intelligence and military capability, to target these organizations directly.

As tensions mount, the situation remains fluid, leaving many to wonder what the next steps will be in this complicated geopolitical landscape.



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Venezuela, Panama Canal