• The US is deploying three warships to combat drug trafficking off the Venezuelan coast.
• President Trump doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million, citing drug charges.
• Maduro has mobilized 4.5 million militia members in response to US actions.
• The deployment is part of a broader strategy against Latin American drug cartels.
• The situation raises concerns over regional tensions and international law.

The United States is sending three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers to the waters off Venezuela as a significant escalation in its efforts to combat drug trafficking. The vessels involved are the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson, with about 4,000 Marines potentially joining the operation in the coming days, according to multiple sources including Indiatimes, Le Monde, and CBS News.

This deployment aligns with President Trump's defined strategy against drug cartels, particularly the "Cartel of the Suns," which the administration claims Maduro leads. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump is "prepared to use every element of American power" to address drug trafficking into the United States, highlighting the seriousness with which the administration views the situation, as reported by Indiatimes and Le Monde.

In response to these maneuvers, President Maduro has condemned the US operations, calling them "immoral, criminal, and illegal." He articulated his position during a speech to lawmakers, emphasizing Venezuela's right to defend itself against perceived foreign aggression and announced a mobilization of 4.5 million militia members across the nation, according to Le Monde, CBS News, and TRT Global.

The US Justice Department has previously indicted Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking, increasing his bounty to $50 million earlier this month. These actions contribute to the heightened pressure between the two nations, with the Trump administration characterizing Maduro as a "fugitive head of this cartel," as noted by multiple sources, including CBS News, Indiatimes, and TRT Global.