US airstrikes against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific have continued unabated since early September - a deadly campaign now dubbed Operation Southern Spear.
Tens of thousands of troops and substantial air and naval assets have been deployed to the region, collectively forming the largest US military presence in and around Latin America in decades.
On Sunday, the US military confirmed the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, had arrived in the Caribbean.
The Trump administration argues the strikes are necessary to stem the flow of drugs to the US.
They have, however, been controversial and sparked fears of a wider conflict in the region.
Why is the US conducting strikes?
President Trump and members of his administration have justified the strikes as a necessary counter-drug measure to stem the flow of narcotics from Latin America to US streets.
In a statement, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the campaign - which on 13 November was officially named Operation Southern Spear - is aimed at removing 'narco-terrorists from our hemisphere' and securing the US from 'the drugs that are killing our people.'
But little information about the targets or what drug trafficking organizations they allegedly belonged to has been officially released by the Pentagon.
Where are US military units?
The US has deployed substantial strike power in the Caribbean and western Atlantic within striking distance of Venezuela.
BBC Verify has identified 15 warships in the region based on ship-tracking data, satellite imagery and announcements by US authorities.
This includes the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier, described by the US Navy as 'the most capable, adaptable, and lethal combat platform in the world.'
How many strikes have there been?
Between 2 September and 16 November, US forces hit at least 22 vessels in 21 separate strikes in international waters, both in the Caribbean and in the eastern Pacific.
Collectively, at least 83 people have been killed, with US Southern Command confirming their strikes often involved narco-traffickers.
Are these boat strikes legal?
The Trump administration has insisted that the strikes are legal, justifying them as a necessary self-defence measure aimed at saving American lives.
Critics, however, argue that the operations may violate international law and question the legality of targeting alleged civilians without due process.
Is the US preparing to attack Venezuela?
The build-up of military units has raised concerns regarding potential direct actions against the Venezuelan government.
In the face of these escalating operations, the Maduro administration has strongly criticized the US's interventionist approach and mobilized its military forces in response.
Maduro has called for peace and warned against potential US involvement in Venezuela's internal affairs.
