The Take Why are US warships going to Venezuela?
Aug 28, 2025
Alessandro Rampietti, an Al Jazeera correspondent based in Colombia, delves into the dramatic deployment of U.S. warships to Venezuela. He unpacks the official narrative of combating drug cartels versus the reality of escalating U.S. intervention. Rampietti discusses Venezuela's military responses under Maduro, revealing a country on edge. He highlights the contradictions in U.S. strategies, especially regarding oil interests and historical interventions, raising questions about the true motives behind this military posture.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Secret Directive Underpins Deployment
- The deployment stems from a secret directive letting the U.S. military act against cartels in the Caribbean and label some groups as terrorists.
- Officials say actions include intercepting drugs and intelligence but give few specifics on naval roles.
Warships Signal More Than Interdiction
- The U.S. sent major warships including destroyers, Marines, and at least one nuclear submarine toward Venezuela's coast.
- Such forces indicate capabilities beyond simple drug interdiction and raise regional alarm.
Accusations Against Maduro Are Strong But Flimsy
- The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading a narco-cartel and being illegitimate, but clear proof tying him directly to global drug flows is limited.
- The U.S. doubled a bounty on Maduro while advancing claims that remain contested by journalists and analysts.