The United States is continuing to signal readiness for a possible military operation against Venezuela. On November 3, 2025, Donald Trump told CBS that President Nicolas Maduro’s days were “numbered,” while stopping short of clearly confirming or denying possible strikes on the country.
According to The New York Times, the White House discussed several options: airstrikes on military facilities, a special forces operation targeting Maduro, and the seizure of some airfields and oil infrastructure. Later, special envoy Richard Grenell called the report inaccurate, but US military activity in the region continued.
Reuters reported that since August Washington has moved at least 13 warships, five support vessels, and a nuclear submarine into the Caribbean. Destroyers USS Jason Dunham, USS Gravely and USS Stockdale remain in the area, along with MV Ocean Trader, which experts link to US special operations forces. The Gerald Ford carrier strike group, with about 10,000 personnel, has also been sent there.
Particular attention has focused on infrastructure upgrades in Puerto Rico and on St. Croix. The agency described this as the largest US military buildup in the Caribbean since the Haiti operation in 1994.
Against this backdrop, The Washington Post says Maduro appealed to the leaders of Russia, China and Iran for military assistance. In a letter to Vladimir Putin, he asked for missile systems, repairs to Su-30MK2 fighter jets, radar refurbishment, and defense financing through Rostec.
Experts cited by the paper say much of the weaponry Caracas bought from Moscow under Hugo Chavez is now outdated or in poor condition. In their view, even Venezuela’s remaining Su-30s, F-16s and anti-ship missiles would be unlikely to change the overall balance of power in a direct confrontation with the United States.