With the Trump administration poised to attack military installations in Venezuela and the U.S. posting a $50 million bounty on Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, images and videos show how U.S. warships are amassing near Venezuela and how the Bolivarian National Armed Forces have been training Venezuelans in military exercises.
The potential attacks on the military installations, which the Trump administration says are used by Maduro and drug cartels connected to him, also seek to dismantle the cartel’s hierarchy, according to the Herald’s reporting.
Among those training are members of the Bolivarian National Militia, a civilian reserve force that the government describes as part of the nation’s “comprehensive defense system.”
See the photos:
Warships on the move
The USS Gravely, a U.S. Navy warship, departs from Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on Oct. 30, 2025. In August, the United States began assembling a large-scale deployment of warships in the southern Caribbean Sea near northern Venezuela for a possible military strike. MARTIN BERNETTI AFP via Getty Images
The USS Gravely warship docks in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on Oct. 26, 2025. The warship arrived there as the United States ratchets up its campaign against Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro. Port of Spain is close to Venezuela’s northern border. MARTIN BERNETTI AFP via Getty Images
A Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (CG 41) vessel escorts the USS Gravely, a U.S. Navy warship, as it departs from Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on Oct. 30, 2025. The warship arrived there a few days before, one of several U.S. warships that have been amassing in the Caribbean Sea near northern Venezuela since August MARTIN BERNETTI AFP via Getty Images
Venezuelans undergo military training
Members of the Bolivarian National Militia participate in military training at Plaza Bolivar in Caracas on Oct. 4, 2025. Venezuelan soldiers carried out communication drills in preparation for a possible armed conflict, in response to what they denounce as a ‘siege’ by the United States. PEDRO MATTEY AFP via Getty Images
CARACAS, VENEZUELA -- Venezuelan Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino Lopez (center right) supervises training session on military leadership and defense on Oct. 4, 2025 ,in Caracas, Venezuela. The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) carried out the military exercises throughout the country, as instructed by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Authorities reiterated that this preparation is a direct response to the military threat posed by the United States against Venezuela. Jesus Vargas Getty Images
Members of the Bolivarian National Militia take part in military training in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Oct. 8, 2025. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
Two twin sisters, Carmen and Maria Santana, members of the Bolivarian Militia, hold rifles during a military training exercise in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Oct. 8, 2025. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
A member of the Bolivarian National Militia holds a Russian-made 9K338 "Igla-S" (SA-18) portable air-defense (MANPAD) surface-to-air missile launcher as he takes part in a rally against U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, in Caracas on Oct. 30, 2025. FEDERICO PARRA AFP via Getty Images
A member of the Bolivarian National Militia holds a rifle during a military training in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Oct. 8, 2025. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
Members of the Bolivarian National Militia hold rifles during a military training in La Guaira, Venezuela, on Oct. 8, 2025. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 12:29 PM.
Milena Malaver covers crime and breaking news for the Miami Herald. She was born and raised in Miami-Dade and is a graduate of Florida International University. She joined the Herald shortly after graduating.
