US Navy vessel transits Panama Canal en route to the Caribbean

US Naval Movements

• USS Lake Erie Crossing: The USS Lake Erie, a US guided missile cruiser, was observed traversing the Panama Canal from the Pacific to the Caribbean on Friday night, marking a significant naval movement amid heightened tensions in the region.
• Timing and Location: The cruiser was seen passing through the canal's locks around 9:30 PM local time, heading east towards the Atlantic after being moored at the Port of Rodman for two days.

Context of Deployment

• US Justification: The United States has stated that the deployment of warships near Venezuela's territorial waters is part of an anti-drug trafficking operation, although no public threats of invasion have been made.
• Increased Bounty on Maduro: The US has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a drug cartel and has raised the bounty for his capture to $50 million.

Venezuela's Response

• Security Forces Mobilization: In response to US actions, Venezuela announced the deployment of 15,000 security forces to its Colombian border for anti-drug operations.
• Naval Patrols and Militia Mobilization: Venezuela plans to patrol its territorial waters with drones and navy ships, and Maduro has claimed to have mobilized over four million militia members in reaction to perceived US threats.

USS Lake Erie Specifications

• Dimensions and Displacement: The USS Lake Erie measures 567 feet (173 meters) in length and displaces 9,800 tons, with its home port located in San Diego, California.