US Deploys 3 Aegis Destroyers Off Venezuela to Counter Cartels

The United States is deploying three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela as part of a broader effort to counter organized drug trafficking networks in Latin America. The ships, USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson, are expected to arrive in the region within the next day or two and will operate from international waters and airspace for several months. Officials say the deployment will involve roughly 4,000 sailors and Marines and will be complemented by additional assets, including P-8 surveillance aircraft, other warships, and at least one attack submarine. The move is intended to support counter-narcotics operations, gather intelligence, and potentially launch targeted actions if a decision is made.

U.S. officials have framed the maneuver as part of President Donald Trump’s emphasis on using military means to disrupt drug cartels that authorities say are fueling fentanyl and other illicit drugs flowing into the United States. The plan, officials say, is to maintain a persistent U.S. presence in the region to deter cartel activity and to enable rapid response if intelligence indicates a viable countermeasure. The ships will operate in...