U.S. Official Says Deployment Of Warships Off The Coast Of Venezuela Is Mostly Saber Rattling: 'Behind The Scenes It's Business As Usual'

A U.S. official reportedly said that the deployment of warships off the Venezuelan coast is mostly saber rattling. "Behind the scenes it's business as usual," an official told the Washington Post.

The outlet also recalled that in an interview earlier this month Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that the Trump administration was "very much against regime change in terms of the U.S. basically being the driver."

"I think you'll be seeing some more actions in the coming days and weeks that will be sending messages, but ultimately the Venezuelan people have to rise up and claim their own freedom," Landau added. "We can't go around the world changing governments at our whim."

Overall, the U.S. sent eight warships to the Caribbean and Pacific in the region, which the Washington Post described as a "significant buildup for a region that has rarely seen such a large presence of U:S. military vessels."

Three destroyers, two landing dock ships, an amphibious assault ship, a cruiser and a littoral combat ship are already in the region or on their way. All destroyers carry detachments of the U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement officials. The Navy didn't say where the vessels will be operating.

However, Geoff Ramsey, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said the White House won't jeopardize its energy interests or immigration priorities. He claimed that Maduro knows that "military action is not going to happen in the short term."

"There are some elements of the Venezuelan opposition that are really hopeful that the U.S. can provide a magical solution," Ramsey claimed. "I think that's ultimately off the table."

Venezuela's authoritarian government, however, is claiming not to be intimidated. Infobae reported on Thursday that the country is reportedly conducting forced conscriptions to the civilian militias due to low voluntary turnout. The outlet added that it will again sign up volunteers this weekend, and has already forcefully recruited people in states like Bolivar. "They are taking young people. They come in Army trucks and vans," a source told the outlet. Another person said people were taken off the street.

Maduro made the initial call last week, saying he was calling to arms to all militia members. Some high-profile advocates of the authoritarian government could be seen signing up at public squares and barracks during the weekend, but Infobae and other reporters claim that the initiative was actually a failure.

Maduro has also called on friendly countries to "unite" to defend its "right to sovereignty, peace and self-determination," and the country has also sent a letter to the UN asking for its support over what it described as "continued threats" from the United States.