The USS Lake Erie, a US guided-missile cruiser, transited the Panama Canal, moving from the Pacific to the Caribbean. This follows the US deployment of warships near Venezuela, officially described as an anti-drug operation. While the US has increased the bounty on Venezuelan President Maduro, it hasn't threatened invasion. Venezuela has responded by deploying its own security forces and militia. The US actions are part of President Trump's broader strategy targeting Latin American drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations, though Mexico has rejected US military presence on its territory.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.