Tensions are escalating in the Caribbean as the United States deploys three Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers — USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson — off the Venezuelan coast. The move comes just days after Washington raised its bounty on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50 million, accusing him of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro condemned the U.S. naval deployment as “illegal” and a blatant “regime change attempt,” warning that any aggression against Venezuela would amount to an attack on all of Latin America and the Caribbean. In a pointed message, he invoked China, brandishing a Huawei phone allegedly gifted by Xi Jinping, and mocked U.S. efforts while showcasing ties with Beijing. China has strongly opposed the U.S. buildup, accusing Washington of violating sovereignty. With mounting pressure, Maduro faces heightened risks while aligning with Russia, Iran, and China against U.S. policies in the region.
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