The United States has deployed a nuclear submarine, the USS Newport News, and a missile cruiser, the USS Lake Erie, to the southern Caribbean near Venezuela's coast. This military operation marks an escalation of U.S. naval presence in the region, with preparations reportedly spanning several months. Venezuela has condemned the deployment, denouncing it as a violation of the Treaty of Tlatelolco and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) declaration that designates the region as a zone of peace. Venezuelan officials, including Foreign Minister Yván Gil, have engaged in diplomatic efforts to strengthen international support, meeting with representatives from the United Nations, Iran, and India to reinforce cooperation in areas such as energy, technology, and finance. Iran has reiterated its support for Venezuela's sovereignty, while the International Antifascist organization and former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya have criticized the U.S. military presence, labeling it a violation of the United Nations Charter.