Is US ‘dramatic show of force’ designed to scare military into removing Maduro, send him into exile?

A US aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in Latin America, escalating a military buildup Venezuela has warned could trigger a full-blown conflict as it announced its own “massive” deployment. The USS Gerald R. Ford’s deployment was ordered nearly three weeks ago with the stated goal of helping to counter drug trafficking in the region. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Angela Diffley welcomes Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House. Mr. Sabatini warns that the Trump administration is seeking to dislodge Maduro from power.” He insists that Venezuela does not even produce fentanyl and “there’s no reason why the US would be so concerned with drug traffickers leaving Venezuela.”