A major increase in United States military activity in the Caribbean Sea is raising tensions with Venezuela. The two sides are arguing about the real reasons behind the US actions. Over the last three months, US forces have carried out airstrikes on ships at sea. The US government says these are legal operations to stop drug trafficking. However, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his allies accuse the US of trying to remove him from power and take control of Venezuela's huge oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.
This conflict is happening during a severe crisis inside Venezuela. The country's economy has collapsed over many years, causing a massive migration crisis and weakening government institutions. Maduro's government, which has support from countries like Russia and China, sees the US military movements as a direct threat. Inside Venezuela, the political opposition is weak and divided, but it has a new symbolic leader. Opposition figure María Corina Machado, who is currently in hiding, recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. This award inspired her supporters to hold global protests last Saturday.
Experts disagree on the main goal of the US strategy. The Trump administration describes the operations as a necessary part of the fight against drugs, reporting that these efforts have led to over eighty deaths. But many people are doubtful. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has a different view, suggesting the campaign is really "a negotiation about oil." He stated that Trump is not interested in bringing democracy to Venezuela or even in stopping drug trafficking. This opinion supports Maduro's frequent claims that Washington wants to steal Venezuela's resources.
An energy expert, Francisco J Monaldi, offered a more detailed analysis. He said that while oil might be one reason for the US actions, it is probably not the most important one. This suggests the US strategy could be influenced by several factors, including regional security, managing migration, and long-term political opposition to Venezuela's socialist government. Still, the importance of Venezuela's enormous oil reserves cannot be ignored.
The combination of military moves and diplomatic arguments is creating a dangerous situation. Some international observers worry about possible breaks in international law and the chance of a wider war. At the same time, Machado's Nobel Prize has become a powerful new factor. Venezuelans living abroad held celebrations for the award in cities worldwide, showing an attempt to bring global attention to the country's political struggle.
The situation is now a complex crisis. On one side, there are military deployments and airstrikes. On the other, there is a battle for international political support. The future is very uncertain, hovering between the possibility of more sanctions or conflict and the small hope for peaceful talks. The result will have effects far beyond the region, impacting global oil markets, Latin American stability, and millions of Venezuelans at home and abroad.