U.S. Reportedly Moves Special Ops. Helicopters Close To Venezuela

The United States has moved several military helicopters off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, just a few miles from the Venezuela, according to a new report.

Citing specialized outlets and forum, Venezuelan outlet El Nacional noted that at least four special ops helicopters and three Black Hawks have been spotted. It added that they could be aboard the Ocean Trader, the converted cargo vessel designed to serve as a special operations mothership.

Originally launched as a commercial roll-on/roll-off cargo ship in 2010, the vessel was later converted under a $73 million U.S. Navy contract to support a wide range of special operations missions. The Ocean Trader is capable of hosting up to 159 special operations forces in addition to its 50-member crew, operating at sea for as long as 45 days before resupply.

It is equipped with helicopter hangars, boat launch bays, aviation fuel stores, workshops, and intelligence facilities, while retaining a commercial appearance intended to blend with merchant traffic.

The development comes as the U.S. continues to beef up its presence in the Caribbean: there are now 10,000 troops deployed in the region, according to a new report. Most are in bases in Puerto Rico.

The New York Times detailed that there are also eight surface warships and a submarine there. Forces have been conducting drills and the U.S. has struck at least four vessels officials claim were carrying drugs that were ultimately set to reach the U.S.

In this context, Venezuela's authoritarian government activated its "Independence Plan 200," a series of drills aimed at protecting strategic assets. "Venezuela is mobilizing in an organized manner," said Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.

He went on to say that Venezuelans are "peaceful" but warned that they have been "actively" preparing "in all fronts to resist, for as long as needed, from the attacks that want to be conducted on the country."

Authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, on his end, said the drill involves "27 tasks to accomplish and ensure the protection of La Guaira and Carabobo's Integral Defense Zone."

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez also said the U.S. might send special forces to the country to carry out targeted assassinations, as well as sabotages to strategic assets.

"There are many ways to attack and disturb us, not just through a military attack from the Caribbean but also the entry of special forces to carry out disruptive actions, including sabotaging the electrical and gas systems, train tracks, targeted assassinations," Padrino Lopez said during a televised address.