# U.S. Southern Command

Shadows Over Caracas: US Military Drills and the Fragile Peace in Post-Maduro Venezuela

Following the high-stakes removal of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026, the U.S. military has conducted its first official exercise in Caracas involving MV-22B Osprey aircraft. While labeled an authorized evacuation drill, the move has ignited local protests and highlighted the ongoing tensions regarding Venezuelan sovereignty and the U.S. military's role in the region.