Tracking Report: Venezuela, Colombia, and Caribbean

Via Tren de Aragua Tracker

Timeline of events leading up to US Military and other geopolitical developments in the Caribbean.

US Military –

August 14th. 2025. Reports that part of this “deployment of US Navy air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea” to counter cartels will include multiple P-8 Poseidons, 1x USN vessel, & one SSN
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1956108807097974997

August 15th, 2025. CNN reports that this force is now expected to be bolstered with the US Navy’s (🇺🇸) Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) & 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), supported by multiple Arleigh Burke class destroyers and a Ticonderoga class cruiser.
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1956418276717650019

August 24th, 2025. The
US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) has officially departed Norfolk en route towards #Venezuela (🇻🇪). She has AV-8B Harrier II, MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Stallion, AH-1Z Viper & MH-60S Seahawk, & UH-1Y Venom onboard.
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1959693136915226701

August 25th, 2025. Reuters confirms the deployment of US Navy Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG-70) & Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN-750) to the coast of Venezuela.
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1960166218188636345

August 26th, 2025. US Navy Amphibious Assault Ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) held official training offshore with helicopter & fixed wing operations. Various loading preparations of artillery, RAM, & Sea Sparrow were also conducted as she heads towards Venezuela.
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1960402692712620053

August 27th, 2025. – Current Time and Deployment.

U.S. Naval Buildup

The United States has expanded its presence in the Caribbean with three guided-missile destroyers—USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson—as part of a large-scale counter-narcotics mission. Backed by 4,000 Marines, P-8 surveillance aircraft, and signals intelligence assets, the deployment is officially framed as an operation to disrupt Latin American drug cartels.

However, senior defense sources revealed that more assets are en route: the USS Erie, a guided-missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are expected to join the task force next week.
https://thedefensenews.com/news-details/Venezuela-Deploys-Warships-and-Drones-as-US-Escalates-Caribbean-Naval-Patrols/

France –

August 24th 2025. The French government announced on Sunday, August 24, 2025, a significant reinforcement in its fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean, focusing on the Guadalupe archipelago.
(Article in Spanish).
https://dossiervenezuela.com/venezuela/francia-refuerza-su-ofensiva-contra-el-narcotrafico-en-el-caribe/

Cuba –

August 26th, 2025. China spy chief pledges expanded intelligence cooperation with top Cuba official.
https://miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article311855491.html

Venezuela –

August 20th. 2025. 4.5 million militiamen to ensure coverage of the entire national territory—militias that are prepared, activated and armed,” Maduro said Monday.
https://aol.com/news/venezuela-readies-militia-trump-involves-090126169.html

August 24th. 2025. Venezuela: Hundreds enlist in militia at Maduro’s request.
https://dw.com/es/venezuela-chavistas-se-alistan-en-milicia-a-pedido-de-maduro/a-73743209

August 29th. 2025. Venezuela prepares for potential U.S. attack with armed drones designed by Iran.
https://miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article311872990.html

August 27th, 2025. Venezuela Deploys Warships To Its Coastline As U.S. Vessels Approach Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said there would also be a “significant” deployment of drones.
https://latintimes.com/venezuela-deploys-warships-its-coastline-us-vessels-approach-588870

August 31st, 2025. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López Venezuela “is preparing to respond to any threat from the US. (Article in Spanish) https://elcooperante.com/padrino-lopez-afirma-que-venezuela-se-esta-preparando-para-responder-ante-cualquier-amenaza-de-ee-uu/

Colombia –

August 25th, 2025. President of Colombia announces agreements with Maduro.
President Petro signed a memorandum declaring the intention to create a binational zone; and pulled out a triune, ordering the military to defend Venezuela in the event of a U.S. aggression.
https://lasillavacia.com/silla-nacional/petro-se-acerca-a-maduro-justo-cuando-mas-cuesta/

August 26th, 2025. Maduro ascends to general to his country’s ambassador to Colombia. Venezuela’s presidentVenezuela, Nicolas Maduro, announced this Sunday (24.08.2025) that he promoted his country’s ambassador to Colombia, Carlos Martínez, as a division general in “active reserve.” 15,000 troops have been mobilized in the border region.
https://dw.com/es/maduro-asciende-a-general-al-embajador-de-su-pa%C3%ADs-en-colombia/a-73748812

August 28th, 2025.

Nicholas Maduro has given support for Colombian President Petro Gustavo ’s plan to send 25,000 troops to the border in the Catatumbo Region. Additionally, he seeks further collaboration with Colombia against narcotics groups.
https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1961213484672114952

Maduro assured that “today we are stronger than yesterday” in relation to what he described as “threats” from the United States and added that they have “more” international support.
https://x.com/WRadioColombia/status/1961200058633712070

August 29th, 2025. President Petro Militarizes Colombia-Venezuela Border.
https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/29/colombia-petro-militarizes-venezuela-border/

X Sources –
@SA_Defensa

@RyanBergPhD

@Brushbeater

@NCalbritton