A US Navy guided missile cruiser, the USS Lake Erie, moved from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean on Friday night, August 29. This move is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to deploy warships near Venezuela’s coast.

AFP reporters saw the 567-foot-long ship, weighing 9,800 tons, pass through a Panama Canal lock at about 9:30 p.m. local time. The cruiser had spent two days docked at the Port of Rodman, close to the Pacific entrance of the canal.

US officials have said the naval presence in the southern Caribbean, near Venezuelan waters, is aimed at fighting drug trafficking.

Washington has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running a drug cartel and recently increased the reward for his capture to $50 million.

“I didn’t know the ship was going to pass… I was surprised,” said Alfredo Cedeno, a health technician who took pictures of the cruiser.

In response, Caracas sent 15,000 security forces to the Colombian border and announced increased patrols in its territorial waters using drones and navy ships.

Maduro also claimed that more than four million militia members have been mobilized in reaction to perceived US threats.

This deployment comes as tensions rise between Washington and Caracas. However, the US has not publicly threatened to invade Venezuela.

Experts say the USS Lake Erie’s movement is meant to show US naval strength and readiness in the area while supporting anti-drug missions.

The cruiser, stationed in San Diego, California, is among several US warships positioned near Venezuela. The show of force reflects the US focus on drug trafficking concerns and serves to test Venezuela’s military response.