Venezuela continues to be on high alert given the growing number of US military assets parked off its coast in the southern Caribbean. Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrinohas recently said “We’re watching them, I want you to know. It stated the US was now in “a non-international armed conflict” with the cartels, which his administration earlier designated as terrorist organizations. Sufficient Pentagon forces have been assembled which would allow for the capture a strategic infrastructure in Venezuela, such as a port or airport, fresh reports say. Could the whole ‘warrior ethos’ speech have been cover for a direct convening of the generals and admirals for detailed war plans?