U.S. Bolsters Naval Presence Off Venezuela To Combat Drug Cartel Threats

The United States is strengthening its naval presence in the waters off Venezuela to counter threats posed by drug cartels. More than 4,000 personnel will be deployed to the area, amid growing tension between Washington and Caracas. The U.S. government has not indicated any intention of a land incursion into the South American nation. The news follows confirmation last week of three U.S. Aegis guided-missile destroyers being deployed to the waters. Then, more recently, Venezuela announced it would send military vessels to the Caribbean Sea and elsewhere to help combat drug trafficking. According to the U.S. Navy’s new chief of...