What to know about US forces in South America, and the Venezuelan reaction

A build-up of United States military assets in the Caribbean has raised questions about American intentions towards Venezuela.

Washington has framed the deployment as a counter-narcotics operation, pointing to trafficking routes through the region. Ships, surveillance aircraft and additional personnel have been positioned within reach of Venezuelan waters.

Caracas has rejected that explanation, describing the build-up as a threat to sovereignty and announcing mobilisation of its own forces in response. President Nicolás Maduro has used the situation to rally domestic support at a time of continued economic strain.

Regional governments have urged restraint, wary of a confrontation that could disrupt shipping, energy supply and migration flows across the Caribbean and northern South America.