The U.S. is conducting joint military training exercises in Panama as President Donald Trump increases the American presence in the Caribbean amid growing tensions with Venezuela. On Tuesday, 25 Panamanian personnel and 25 U.S. Marines carried out air ambulance drills in the jungle, simulating the extraction of injured personnel. While U.S. Army Captain Nelson Marchan denied a direct link between the exercises and Venezuelan tensions, a U.S. official indicated the drills are intended to signal to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the U.S. is monitoring the region closely.
Over the past three months, U.S. forces have launched at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in at least 83 deaths. While some lawmakers, international bodies, and human rights experts have questioned the legality of the operations, the Trump administration asserts that all actions comply with U.S. and international law. Trump recently threatened that land strikes in Venezuela could begin “very soon” and indicated that any nation involved in illicit drug production or trafficking could face U.S. military action. Congressional leaders, including Senators Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Rand Paul, warned that unauthorized land operations would constitute acts of war and must receive congressional approval under the War Powers Act. Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Maduro is reportedly increasing security measures, changing locations, communications, and bodyguards, in preparation for potential U.S. military strikes.