US destroyers head toward waters off Venezuela as Trump aims to pressure drug cartels
August 19, 2025
The United States is deploying three guided-missile destroyers to the waters off Venezuela as part of President Donald Trump’s effort to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels. That’s according to a U.S. official briefed on the planning. The official was not authorized to comment and said Tuesday on the condition of anonymity that the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham and USS Sampson are expected to arrive soon. The movement of U.S. destroyers and personnel comes as Trump pushes for using the military to thwart cartels he blames for the flow of illicit drugs into American communities. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says the U.S. has increased its threats against his country.