U.S. Deploys Warships Off Venezuela In Escalation Against Cartels Tied To Fentanyl Influx

The U.S. is sending three destroyers—USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson—to waters off Venezuela as part of expanded counternarcotics operations tied to White House pressure on cartels and a doubled reward for Nicolás Maduro. Pentagon officials say assets will be in the region for months; regional leaders condemned the move and Venezuela announced militia mobilization and drone restrictions.