The Trump administration moved more troops and military assets into the South Caribbean this week as the president continues to ratchet up pressure on Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. military moved a large number of special operations aircraft, soldiers, and more equipment into the area this week, according to The Wall Street Journal. The deployment comes as the United States has begun to seize oil tankers known for transporting sanctioned Venezuelan oil.
In a press conference on Monday, Trump warned Maduro against playing “tough” with the U.S. military.
“He can do whatever he wants. We have a massive armada formed, the biggest we’ve ever had – by far the biggest we’ve ever had in South America. He could do whatever he wants. It’s alright. Whatever he wants to do, if he wants to do something. If he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough,” said Trump.
At least 10 CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and a C-17 cargo plane flew from the United States to the South Caribbean on Monday, according to WSJ. The aircraft carried troops and other equipment.
Maduro has accused the Trump administration of pursuing colonialism in South America and of violating international law. U.S. military operations against drug trafficking began in international waters off the coast of Venezuela over the summer and have resulted in dozens of drug boats being sunk by U.S. missiles.
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During his first term, Trump called on Maduro to step down as Venezuela’s leader. Trump has increased pressure in the first year of his second term, raising a bounty on Maduro to $50 million and approving CIA operations in Venezuela targeting the dictator.
The United States has seized at least two sanctioned oil tankers in recent weeks and pursued a third, according to reports. The president said on Monday that the United States would keep the oil and potentially add it to “the strategic reserves.”
The decision to target Venezuela’s international oil business marks a significant escalation in the pressure campaign against Maduro. Oil is the foundation of Venezuela’s economy and accounts for much of the money used to maintain Maduro’s regime.