The naval press service, in response to a question about whether the destroyer had already reinforced the US naval assembly in the Caribbean, stated that on November 16, the United States announced, amid the escalation with Venezuela, that it was leading operations. The United States justifies its military presence in the Caribbean Sea by combating drug trafficking. In September and October, its armed forces were used several times to destroy boats near the Venezuelan coast, which they claimed were used for drug transport. Additionally, at the end of September, American television reported that the US armed forces were studying options to carry out strikes against drug traffickers inside Venezuela. In November, the US President expressed his belief that the days of the Venezuelan President in power were “numbered,” but he also confirmed that Washington does not plan to go to war with Venezuela.
