The United States military carried out a major drill over Caracas on Saturday, marking its first military exercise in Venezuela since the January operation that captured President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores. Venezuelan authorities said the earlier assault on the capital killed at least 100 people and dramatically reshaped the country’s political landscape. Consequently, the latest exercise renewed concerns about growing American military influence inside Venezuela.
The drill included two MV-22B Osprey aircraft that landed near the US embassy in Caracas, while additional naval vessels entered Venezuelan waters in the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelan officials stated they had approved the operation as an emergency evacuation exercise for possible medical crises or natural disasters. However, many residents viewed the visible military activity above the capital as a sign of rising regional uncertainty.
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Meanwhile, the US embassy declared that Washington remained committed to implementing President Donald Trump’s three-phase strategy focused on stabilising Venezuela after months of political unrest. General Francis Donovan, commander of the US Southern Command, travelled aboard one of the Osprey aircraft and later met interim government officials during his visit to Caracas. The exercise also highlighted growing military coordination between the United States and Venezuela’s new leadership.
Residents across Caracas reacted with unease as military aircraft flew directly over densely populated areas of the city during the operation. Evelyn Rebolledo, a local administrator, said the sight of foreign military aircraft above the Venezuelan capital created fear and uncertainty among citizens already affected by political turmoil. Furthermore, many Venezuelans remain deeply divided over the expanding US role in national affairs.
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At the same time, Trump’s administration continued backing the government led by Delcy Rodriguez, which has introduced measures opening Venezuela’s vast oil and mining sectors to American investment. Supporters of the new administration argue stronger ties with Washington could help stabilise the struggling economy and restore investor confidence. Critics, however, believe the growing US presence risks increasing tensions and weakening Venezuela’s national sovereignty.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado addressed Venezuelan migrants during a rally in Panama City and promised that major political change was approaching. Machado, widely viewed by her supporters as the legitimate winner of the disputed 2024 election, said her return to Venezuela was drawing closer after months in hiding abroad. As a result, political uncertainty continues to dominate the country despite renewed diplomatic engagement and military cooperation.