U.S. Warship Enters Panama Canal Heading to the Caribbean

SadaNews - The U.S. guided missile cruiser "Lake Erie" entered the Panama Canal from the Pacific Ocean heading towards the "Caribbean" on Friday evening, amidst the presence of three U.S. warships off the coast of Venezuela.

Journalists from the "Agence France-Presse" witnessed the warship passing through the canal from the Pacific side around 21:30 local time (02:30 GMT Saturday), heading east towards the Atlantic Ocean.

The ship, designated number 70, had been anchored for the past two days at Rodman Port at the canal's Pacific entrance.

The United States announced the deployment of several warships to the "Caribbean" with a declared goal of combating international drug trafficking.

Washington revealed last week the deployment of three Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers off the coast of Venezuela.

On Tuesday, a U.S. official who requested anonymity told "Agence France-Presse" that the U.S. President also decided to send the missile-cruiser "Lake Erie" along with the nuclear-powered attack submarine "Newport."

In response, Venezuela announced the deployment of navy vessels and drones in its territorial waters.

Washington and Caracas have been at odds for years. Former U.S. President Donald Trump intensified pressures on his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, whose reelection in July 2024 was not recognized by the United States during the presidency of Joe Biden.

The Trump administration doubled the reward in early August to $50 million for any information leading to the arrest of Maduro, whom they accuse of running a "terrorist drug cartel."