Military tensions between Washington and Caracas are spiraling toward a breaking point as U.S. forces surge across the Caribbean.

The U.S. military is strengthening its Navy presence near Venezuela, as President Donald Trump seeks to stop the flow of drug trafficking.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says his country is at "maximum preparedness" to respond if attacked by U.S. forces in the Caribbean.

The sighting of U.S. more naval and air assets signals a broader confrontation, as Washington intensifies counternarcotics strikes.

Venezuela pledged on Sunday to sharply boost troops in coastal states to tackle drug trafficking - a move that comes after the U.S. ordered the deployment of an additional 10 fighter jets to Puerto Rico to carry out operations against drug cartels.

Trump announced the 'kinetic strike' on Truth Social. The ongoing campaign has raised bipartisan concerns about due process.

The U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit said the training event in southern Puerto Rico aims to enhance regional security.