What’s Really Going On?

Reuters reports that the U.S. has deployed additional naval assets to the southern Caribbean aimed at confronting Latin American drug cartels. Notably, these include the USS Lake Erie (a guided-missile cruiser) and the USS Newport News (a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine), expected to arrive near Venezuela by early next week.

These follow a prior deployment of three Aegis-class destroyers—the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale—carrying 4,500 U.S. troops, including 2,200 Marines.

These military measures are part of a broader strategy to counter threats from cartel groups the U.S. has designated as “narco-terrorist organizations.”

What’s Not True

There’s no credible Reuters report stating that the U.S. is sending warships “to attack drug cartels” near Venezuela.

No mention of a submarine or missile cruiser being deployed “to attack drug cartels,” as your message implies. The deployments are framed as counter-narcotics operations or intelligence efforts, not military attacks.

Summary: What’s Accurate

Claim Verified? Details

U.S. sending additional warships near Venezuela Yes Includes USS Lake Erie (cruiser) and USS Newport News (submarine), plus earlier destroyers already operating in the region.

Deployment to attack drug cartels No Actions are aimed at interdiction, surveillance, and strategic deterrence—not offensive combat.