Map shows route of the US Navy towards the coast of Venezuela, where ships are expected to arrive on Wednesday

Amid the approaching Venezuelan coast of an American naval fleet, including three American destroyers – USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson, equipped with the Aegis combat system with guided missiles – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million paramilitaries across the national territory to respond to what he called ‘threats’ from the US. According to the American press, the American deployment was said to aim to combat drug trafficking and put pressure on the Venezuelan government. Amid the threats, US government spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump will use ‘all force’ against Maduro’s regime. According to sources heard by Reuters, the vessels will arrive near the Caribbean country’s coast on Wednesday morning, as part of an order issued on August 8 to the Pentagon to begin using military force against Latin American drug cartels, classified by Washington as terrorist organizations and seen as a threat to US national security. The directive provides an official basis to launch operations against these groups in foreign territory and corresponding territorial waters, raising legal questions.