U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. AFP Yonhap News 

The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump, which is increasing pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, is deploying additional forces to the Caribbean, the U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 12th (local time).

There is speculation that the U.S. military threat could be further amplified as the deployed assets include forces capable of conducting ground attacks and electronic warfare.

According to the WSJ, the U.S. Department of Defense has been moving military assets to the Caribbean that can neutralize Venezuela's defense systems and enforce an oil embargo, following airstrikes on ships suspected of drug smuggling and the seizure of Venezuelan crude oil tankers in the Caribbean in recent weeks.

The report states that F-35A fighter jets, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, HH-60W rescue helicopters, and HC-130J combat search and rescue aircraft have been deployed to Puerto Rico. In recent days, aerial refueling tankers were moved to the Dominican Republic.

Experts believe that the deployment of aerial refueling tankers could play a key role if ground attacks were to occur.

The U.S. military has already deployed 11 warships, MQ-9 Reaper drones, F-35B fighter jets, and P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft to the region. Last month, the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford significantly enhanced its airstrike capabilities.

Military experts analyze that this movement of forces signals the intention to conduct combat operations against Venezuela. They also evaluate that it means additional tanker seizures are possible if President Trump wishes.

Heather Penny, research director at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies (MIAS), stated regarding these deployed forces, "They are optimized for precise and covert attacks while minimizing collateral damage."

"All these forces will cooperate to open up the battlefield and conduct precision strikes while minimizing risks to U.S. forces," she added. "Of course, search and rescue teams are also deployed in preparation for any eventuality."

There are also concerns that if the United States takes military action, the crisis could spread not only to Venezuela but throughout Latin America. Analysis suggests it could particularly spread to Cuba, which relies on Venezuelan oil, and Colombia, where armed groups control the borders.

The U.S. San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Fort Lauderdale deployed in Puerto Rico. AFP Yonhap News 

However, experts believe that the U.S.'s next step may be to enforce the oil embargo rather than actual military conflict. Currently, most Venezuelan crude oil exports are conducted illegally using vessels with false registrations, and blocking these could deliver a fatal blow to the Maduro regime.

While President Trump has not ruled out the possibility of a ground invasion of Venezuela, experts believe that precision airstrikes targeting ground objectives are much more likely.

Such operations are likely to begin with cyber operations and satellite jamming to neutralize the Russian-made air defense systems possessed by the Venezuelan military.

In this case, the U.S. is expected to deploy electronic warfare systems near Venezuela to jam satellite transmissions and neutralize communication and navigation systems. The scenario then involves striking defense systems and critical facilities with F-35 fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles. The aerial refueling tankers recently deployed to the Dominican Republic would support the long-range flights of operational aircraft.

Following this, an "attack formation" consisting of Growlers, fighter jets, and bombers would be deployed to expand strikes against ground targets.

 Marines prepare for firing drills aboard the U.S. San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Fort Lauderdale. AFP Yonhap News

Venezuela is reportedly aware of the high possibility of U.S. military attack and has issued internal warnings.

An official at Valencia Airport stated that anti-aircraft guns have been deployed near the runway and storage facilities, and over 80% of flights have been canceled in the past two weeks.

Port officials said that ship operations have been almost completely halted. On this day alone, at least 12 container ships and oil tankers attempted to dock but were rerouted.