Las imágenes del ejercicio militar de EE.UU. en Caracas autorizado por el gobierno de Venezuela

70 The sight of two Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft descending into the parking lot of the U.S. embassy in eastern Caracas was more than a logistical drill; it was a public demonstration of a new geopolitical reality. These convertiplanes, capable of vertical takeoff like helicopters and high-speed flight like airplanes, kicked up clouds of dust and leaves before residents and journalists, marking the first such military exercise authorized by the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez. The operation was not limited to the capital’s airspace. As El Colombiano reported, the U.S. Navy positioned the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD7) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG70) less than six nautical miles—roughly 11 kilometers—off the coast of La Guaira.

Osprey Maneuvers and Naval Positioning in La Guaira

The exercise began shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, focusing on the embassy’s ability to handle rapid evacuations. While the aircraft dominated the skyline, the ground operation involved the entry of ambulances and firefighters into the diplomatic headquarters, which is situated in a mountainous area of the city. The deployment served as a stress test for communications, operational coordination, and response times. By utilizing the MV-22B Ospreys, the U.S. military evaluated its capacity to extract personnel quickly under simulated catastrophic conditions. The presence of the USS Iwo Jima and USS Lake Erie just off the coast provided a critical maritime layer to the drill, ensuring that the “rapid response” capability extended from the Caribbean waters directly into the heart of the Venezuelan capital.

The White House Three-Phase Plan and Diplomatic Restoration

This military display is the most visible manifestation of a broader strategic pivot. Just four months ago, on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces entered Caracas to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on charges of arms and drug trafficking. That event shattered the previous regime and led to the restoration of diplomatic and consular ties in March, ending a seven-year rupture. According to BBC Mundo, this exercise is part of a structured U.S. strategy for the country. The U.S. embassy explicitly linked the drill to a “three-phase plan” orchestrated by the White House following Maduro’s capture. The phases of this transition are:

Stabilization: Establishing immediate security and order.

Recovery: Rebuilding essential state functions and economic stability.

Transition: Moving toward a permanent, recognized political structure.

The current diplomatic team in Caracas is led by chargé d’affaires John Barrett, who replaced Laura Dogu as the U.S. seeks to solidify this new partnership with the interim administration.

General Francis L. Donovan’s Strategic Oversight

The entire operation was supervised by General Francis L. Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). This visit marked Donovan’s second official trip to the capital this year, emphasizing that the U.S. military is now deeply integrated into the security architecture of the interim government. Beyond the flight lines, Donovan engaged in bilateral talks with high-ranking representatives of the Rodríguez government and met with embassy staff to coordinate future security actions. Through Infobae, SOUTHCOM reiterated that these maneuvers are a standard part of personnel preparation, but they also carry a heavy symbolic weight. “Ensuring the army’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and throughout the world. We continue to advance in the three-phase plan of @POTUS [U.S. President] for Venezuela,” the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, via X The Southern Command further emphasized that the U.S. remains committed to a “free, secure, and prosperous” Venezuela, viewing the stabilization of the country as a prerequisite for the security of the entire Western Hemisphere.

Internal Friction and the “Yankee Interference” Backlash

While the interim government and many residents viewed the exercise with curiosity or calm, the event reignited tensions among the remnants of the Chavista movement. Hardline supporters of the previous regime organized protests across various points in Caracas, viewing the presence of U.S. warplanes as a violation of sovereignty. These protesters characterized the simulation not as a safety drill, but as an act of “Yankee interference.” Despite the political friction, the logistical execution required deep cooperation with local institutions. As El Tiempo reported, the Venezuelan government—specifically via Foreign Minister Yván Gil—authorized the overflights and coordinated with national aviation authorities. The drill also integrated civilian emergency services to ensure a holistic response.

Venezuelan Red Cross: Coordinated the evacuation and emergency care components.

Aeronautical Authorities: Supervised and authorized the controlled overflights within Caracas.

Local Emergency Services: Deployed ambulances and fire trucks to the embassy site.

The official justification for the drill was to prepare for “eventual medical situations or catastrophic contingencies.” However, the scale of the deployment—including a missile cruiser and an amphibious assault ship—suggests that the U.S. is preparing for a wide spectrum of contingencies during this fragile transition period. As Venezuela moves through the stabilization phase of the White House plan, the presence of U.S. military assets in the region serves as both a security blanket for the interim government and a point of contention for those who still cling to the previous administration’s ideology. The next 30 days will likely reveal whether this cooperation extends beyond simulated evacuations into more permanent security partnerships.