Venezuela announces large-scale military mobilization

Venezuela is mobilizing its military following the arrival of U.S. combat ships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, in the Caribbean, according to CNN.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said that land, air, naval and reserve units will mobilize, with exercises nationwide scheduled to continue through Wednesday. He called the U.S. presence an «imperialist threat.»

The U.S. Navy confirmed that the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group — including nine air squadrons, two missile destroyers, the command ship USS Winston S. Churchill and over 4,000 personnel — has entered the U.S. Southern Command area, which covers most of Latin America.

Washington said the military build-up is aimed at curbing drug trafficking into the U.S., presenting it as a security measure. Caracas, however, views the deployment as potentially preparing for actions that could threaten its sovereignty.