The United States has deployed the missile destroyer USS Gravely to the Caribbean, docking in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — less than ten kilometers from the Venezuelan coast. The move underscores President Donald Trump’s growing military and diplomatic pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s regime, part of a broader effort to combat drug-trafficking networks and restore regional stability.

The USS Gravely’s arrival, accompanied by a contingent of U.S. Marines, marks the latest stage in joint exercises with the Trinidadian military. U.S. officials describe the operation as a show of partnership with regional allies, reinforcing maritime security and counter-narcotics cooperation across the southern Caribbean.

Administration sources say the deployment is intended to deter transnational criminal activity that flows through Venezuelan-controlled waters, while signaling that the United States remains committed to protecting democratic interests and confronting authoritarian regimes in the hemisphere.

President Trump has repeatedly condemned Maduro’s government for enabling cartel operations and fostering instability across Latin America. The Gravely’s presence off Venezuela’s coast sends a clear message — Washington will not allow hostile powers or criminal syndicates to threaten the region’s security.

The joint maneuvers are expected to continue through the week, with U.S. Navy and Trinidadian defense units coordinating search-and-rescue and anti-smuggling drills.