U.S. and Panama Conduct Jungle Air‑Evac Drills as Washington Widens Military Pressure on Venezuela

The United States and Panama held joint jungle air‑evacuation drills this week as Washington expands its military posture in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela. The exercises, involving 25 Panamanian service members and 25 U.S. Marines, practiced air‑ambulance procedures and simulated the extraction of injured personnel from dense terrain.

Panamanian Army Captain Nelson Marchan said the training was a routine cooperation exercise and denied it was aimed at Venezuela. U.S. officials, however, told reporters the drills also serve to signal vigilance to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the United States increases operations in the region.

Over the past three months, U.S. forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on suspected drug‑running vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific. U.S. authorities say those operations have resulted in the deaths of at least 83 people. Lawmakers, international bodies and human rights groups have raised questions about the legality of some strikes, and congressional committees are reviewing whether any actions breached the laws of armed conflict. The White House has said that senior Navy leadership authorized follow‑up strikes in some cases and maintains the operations complied with U.S. and international law.

The administration has repeatedly blamed President Maduro and elements of Venezuela’s security apparatus for facilitating narcotics flows to the United States. Officials recently designated the "Cartel de los Soles" as a foreign terrorist organization and accused Maduro of ties to the group.

As part of what U.S. officials describe as a counter‑drug campaign, the U.S. has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, additional troops and F‑35 jets to the Caribbean. Some U.S. observers view the military buildup as an effort to increase pressure on Maduro’s government; others warn it risks escalating into a broader confrontation.

"We're going to start doing those strikes on land, too. You know, the land is much easier ... and we know the routes they take. We know everything about them. We know where they live. We know where the bad ones live. And we're going to start that very soon, too," the president said.

President Trump indicated such land strikes could extend beyond Venezuela to any country that serves as a production or transit point for illicit drugs. That prospect prompted bipartisan concern in Congress: a group of senators warned that unilateral land operations without explicit congressional authorization could prompt a war‑powers confrontation.

"Unauthorized military action against Venezuela would be a colossal and costly mistake that needlessly risks the lives of our servicemembers," Senators Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff and Rand Paul said in a joint statement. Senate Minority Leader Schumer added that an unapproved land attack would be viewed as an act of war and could prompt invocation of the War Powers Act.

As scrutiny of the maritime strikes has mounted, defense officials and congressional oversight committees have been examining the chain of command and rules that guided those operations. Navy Vice Adm. Frank Bradley has been identified by the White House as the officer who authorized a second follow‑up strike in one instance; officials say he acted within his authority. Lawmakers from both parties are seeking additional briefings and classified testimony as they investigate.

Senator Marco Rubio defended the administration’s counter‑drug mission on national television, arguing that the build‑up is aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking and that Maduro’s objections do not negate that threat. Meanwhile, reports indicate the Venezuelan leadership has taken precautionary security measures amid fears of possible strikes, including changes to travel and communications routines.

The joint Panama exercises reflect ongoing military cooperation in the region, even as diplomatic and legal questions swirl around recent U.S. operations. Observers say continued transparency with Congress and international partners will be critical to managing tensions and ensuring operations comply with domestic and international law.