US-Venezuela tensions rise as US warships arrive in Southern Caribbean

• On Thursday, Adm. Daryl Caudle said the United States is boosting its maritime force off Venezuela, with more vessels expected next week following recent confirmations of naval deployments.
• Policy drivers include President Donald Trump's focus on fentanyl, aiming to counter Latin American drug cartels linked to illicit drug flows into U.S. communities.
• President Nicolás Maduro responded by urging Venezuelans to join a volunteer militia, while the ruling party claims membership exceeds 4.5 million despite critics calling this an overcount.
• Officials repudiated U.S. accusations and appealed on Tuesday, with Maduro saying over 90% of Venezuelans reject the U.S. `announcements and threats` and calling for militia enlistment, while Samuel Moncada urged António Guterres to halt `all its hostile actions and threats` and Maduro denied drug-trafficking claims.
• Three amphibious assault ships carrying more than 4,000 sailors and Marines are due next week, but Christopher Sabatini, research fellow at Chatham House, says it's to `make as much noise as possible`; opposition leader Maria Corina Machado adds, `The time has come for change`.

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