The deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford marks a major escalation in what the US says is a campaign to target drug traffickers.

Even with U.S. warships offshore, the strongman has prevailed in efforts to unseat him—purging, spying and paying off officers so the armed forces remain loyal.

Venezuelan government officials floated a plan in which President Nicolás Maduro would eventually leave office, a bid aimed at easing mounting U.S. pressure on the government in Caracas.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro placed Venezuela on high alert over a major U.S. military deployment near his country's coast.

DONALD Trump has sent America’s deadliest warplanes towards Venezuela as he steps up military pressure on dictator Nicolás Maduro. Two B-1B Lancer bombers – each capable of carrying 75,000lb

Reports suggest the military flew a pair of supersonic, heavy bombers up to the coast of Venezuela on Thursday

The deployment comes amid a growing build-up of American military assets in the Caribbean, including warships, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighter jets

President Donald Trump is considering plans to target cocaine facilities and drug trafficking routes inside Venezuela, though he has not yet made a decision on whether to move forward with them, three US officials told CNN.

Venezuela’s autocrat had proposed allocating his country’s oil wealth and other natural resources to the U.S. and ending deals with American adversaries to appease President Trump.