U.S. Marines Osprey transport aircraft. AFP Yonhap News

Amid escalating pressure on Venezuela from U.S. President Donald Trump, the U.S. military has increased its forces, including special operations aircraft, in the Caribbean region, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 23rd (local time).

According to the report, at least 10 CV-22 Osprey transport aircraft, used by special forces, flew from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, U.S., to the Caribbean region the previous night.

C-17 transport aircraft also moved to U.S. Puerto Rico from Fort Stewart and Fort Campbell Army bases the day before.

U.S. officials stated that these aircraft transported military personnel and equipment.

Cannon Air Force Base is home to the 27th Special Operations Wing, while Fort Campbell hosts the elite special operations units, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 101st Airborne Division.

Fort Stewart is home to the 1st Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment.

The 27th Special Operations Wing and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are trained to support high-risk infiltration and exfiltration missions, and to provide close air and combat support.

Army Rangers are trained to seize airfields and provide security when special forces units such as SEAL Team 6 or Delta Force conduct precision targeting or hostage rescue missions.

Regarding this troop deployment, Lt. Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Air Force, and director of the Modern War Institute at West Point, told the WSJ, "They are pre-positioning forces to act."

Deptula suggested that the deployment of special forces assets is a sign that the administration has already decided on a course of action against Venezuela, adding, "The question remaining is what they intend to achieve by doing so."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the Central and South American regions, declined to comment on specific troop movements in response to WSJ's inquiry, stating, "The routine rotation of equipment and personnel to and from any military installation is standard practice."

Following the sinking of drug cartel vessels traversing the Caribbean, the Trump administration has recently begun intercepting oil tankers to block oil exports, a major source of funding for the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

President Trump has also raised the possibility of initiating military operations against drug cartels on the ground in Venezuela.

In response, Venezuela has strongly protested, viewing the Trump administration's actions as an attempt to overthrow the Maduro regime.