Venezuela, Trump: "Maduro's days are numbered" as tensions rise in the Caribbean.

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that Nicolás Maduro's days may be numbered, without confirming however the hypothesis of an attack against Venezuela. Interviewed by cbsTrump responded to the question about the possible end of the Caracas regime: “I would say so”, but he avoided clarifying whether direct military interventions are foreseen.

Concentration of American forces and resources

Yesterday, the United States conducted Marine Corps landing rehearsals in Puerto Rico, shown in an official video of the US Southern Command.
La 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit was filmed transporting troops, vehicles and equipment in helicopter-supported training operations, practicing landings and infiltrations.
According to the press release, the activity serves to fight drug trafficking and protect the homeland, but the concentration of resources and men raises fears of possible wider military developments.

At the same time, A suspected drug trafficking vessel in the Caribbean was attacked by the US, provoking the death of three people.

La Russia has condemned “the use of excessive military force” on the part of the United States, calling for avoiding new conflicts, but also threatened to send missiles to Caracas and possible “surprises” for the US.
The situation brings to mind the largest U.S. naval deployment in the region since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Naval base and strategic infrastructure

Another element that increases tension is the modernization of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base in Puerto Rico, closed by the US Navy more than twenty years ago.
American teams have freed and resurfaced junctions and tracks, while Washington is expanding infrastructure also at civil airports in Puerto Rico and Saint Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The two territories are located about 800 kilometers from Venezuela, a strategic position for operations in the area.

According to US experts, these moves could be aimed at forcing Maduro into exile and push members of his entourage to betray him.

Stated objectives and legal margins

As stated by the US Department of Justice, the Trump administration can continue raids against suspected drug traffickers in Latin America without congressional approval, not being bound by the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

In a context of international high tension, the United States maintain a significant military presence in the Caribbean, while Maduro's political fate remains uncertain e the moves of Washington and Moscow they continue to grow the global alarm.