The battle broke out at any time, the US Defense Minister arrived, and Russian bombers were dispatched

Text︱Lu Qi

The Caribbean powder keg is heating up again, and the game between the US military and Venezuela is like a live-action strategy game that may cause trouble at any time. In September 2025, the United States' actions in this sea area became more and more bold, as if showing the world that it would be natural to use military power as long as it is under the banner of anti-virus. Aegis destroyers, nuclear submarines, F-35 stealth fighter jets, and Marines gathered. This battle is not only a deterrent, but also a pressure on the opponent, telling the Maduro government: You have to tighten your nerves.

How can Venezuela endure it? President Maduro directly accused the United States of being a regime change, which sounds like a plot in a conspiracy novel, but it is a reality. Two F-16s flew around US destroyers over international waters, and the Pentagon shouted "highly provocative", but Venezuela said that this was a normal patrol to protect its own interests. It turns out that the sky near the border is no longer a peaceful blue sky, but an invisible arms show.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegsesth ran to Puerto Rico at this critical moment, which was more like a ritual performance: telling the frontline troops that you are not fighting alone, and they are also calling out to Maduro. Hegsey said bluntly that the United States will continue to crack down on drug trafficking. This sounds like encouraging the troops, but in fact it is a signal of increasing the price: whoever dares to block the way will bear the consequences. The take-off and landing of the C-17 transport aircraft at Puerto Rico Airport and the transportation of F-35 parts are more worrying than verbal threats.

Maduro was not scared. He mobilized 15,000 troops to garrison the border and deployed defenses with ships, aircraft and drones. The militia troops entered a state of alert. This was not showing muscles, but showing the will of the country. The hovering of the F-16 over the US ship is not only a demonstration, but also a bottom line reminder: only if you do not infringe on other people's sovereignty, you can have safety. While calling for a crackdown on drugs, the United States sent nuclear submarines to lurk under the sea, with an ambiguous position and obvious intentions.

The figure of Russia adds more suspense. The Tu-160 strategic bomber may return to Venezuela and can technically carry conventional or nuclear cruise missiles, covering a large area of ​​the southern United States. This is not a fantasy, but a real strategic shock. Every time Russia's intervention makes the situation in the Caribbean more like a high-risk chess game: The US military has to deal with not only Venezuela, but also Russia far away from the other end of the Atlantic.

The United States apparently claims that its actions target drug problems, but countless facts show that the logic behind this is much more than combating drug trafficking. Sending Marines, F-35 stealth fighter jets and nuclear submarines to assemble heavy troops to practice in the Caribbean Sea, which is beyond the scope of simple law enforcement. Although Trump said he did not talk about regime change, the signal of military power sent by itself is putting political pressure on Venezuela - the deterrent language of head-on deterrence is not bad at all.

Venezuela's countermeasures are not only to safeguard sovereignty, but also to tell the United States that any move that intends to interfere in the political situation will have to pay the price. From F-16 flight to militia deployment, every step is a clear statement: we have a bottom line and a means. Especially in the context of possible support from Russia, every provocation from the United States may escalate into a multilateral risk event. The powder barrel is about to break out, this is not alarmist, but a real picture.

Behind this tension is the complexity of the game between great powers: The United States maintains its "vested interests" with military deterrence, Venezuela responds with sovereignty, and Russia provides strategic support behind it. The Caribbean Sea is no longer just a picturesque tourist destination, but a microcosm of modern international game: every ship and aircraft operation, every military inspection, may trigger an unpredictable chain reaction.

The US military has huge military strength and global delivery capabilities, but in the face of the joint deterrence between Venezuela and Russia, this force is not an absolute guarantee. History tells us that provocation and head-on collisions can sometimes only cause trouble, and any party's rashness may ignite the powder barrel of regional security.

For global observers, this event provides a clear signal: the game between great powers is not just slogans and news, but also a multiple contest of tactics, strategies and psychology. The cruise of warships, the hovering of aircraft, and the lurking of nuclear submarines, each action is writing about new international legal principles and political reality. The tension between the United States and Venezuela is no longer just a geopolitical embellishment, but a key node that affects the regional and even global security landscape.

Who will give in? Who will get out of the fire first? It is still difficult to predict at present. But what is certain is that no matter how much the US military gathers its forces, the counter-revolution of Venezuela and Russia is by no means a soft persimmon. Every airborne over and the deployment of each Tomahawk missile are showing their own bottom line. The Caribbean sky is no longer calm, and every friction seems to be testing the elastic limits of international politics.

Behind this triangular game is the microcosm of the balance of power of major global powers. The United States trains troops and demonstrates its delivery capabilities here, Venezuela protects its sovereignty, and Russia provides strategic support. This is not only a military confrontation, but also a compound stage for diplomacy, psychology and information warfare. Which side can stabilize the pace in the next few weeks and which side may misjudgment, which will determine whether the Caribbean powder barrels continue to smoke or are forced to the critical point.