Two Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft landed in the parking lot of the American Embassy in Caracas on Saturday as part of a rapid response exercise, with U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan arriving aboard one of the aircraft.
Additional imagery of Gen. Donovan’s visit to Caracas, Venezuela today. pic.twitter.com/T9xtTmq9c6
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 23, 2026
The Ospreys belong to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (VMM-263), part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean. VMM-263 is the same squadron that carried Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to the Iwo Jima immediately following their capture on January 3.
Honoring our heroes this Memorial Day weekend aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7):
“Remarkable work, remarkable integration, and remarkable combat-lethal warfighting capabilities.”#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan praised the Sailors and Marines of Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready… pic.twitter.com/4ASEOaO7NI
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 24, 2026
“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the U.S. Embassy stated.
SOUTHCOM confirmed Saturday was Donovan’s second official visit to Caracas this year. He held bilateral discussions with senior Venezuelan interim government officials and met with embassy leadership and staff. His first visit, in February, focused on security coordination with Venezuela’s newly established interim authorities.
Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil had announced the drill earlier in the week, describing it as preparation for possible medical or catastrophic emergencies. A small number of protesters gathered elsewhere in the city, holding a flag bearing the message “No to the Yankee drill.”
In a post on X, SOUTHCOM said it “remains committed to ensuring the implementation of @POTUS’ three-phase plan,” citing the stabilization of Venezuela as a specific priority.
#SOUTHCOM Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan was in Caracas, Venezuela, today for his second official visit to the country. He took part in bilateral discussions with senior interim government leaders, met with U.S. Embassy leadership and staff, and observed the joint force… pic.twitter.com/M4Ye22UAMc
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) May 23, 2026
The exercise was the largest U.S. military display in Caracas since Operation Absolute Resolve, the January 3 raid in which Delta Force operators and more than 150 aircraft seized Maduro from a military compound in the capital. Maduro and Flores face drug trafficking charges in New York and have pleaded not guilty.
The USS Nimitz carrier strike group entered the Caribbean earlier this week, joining the Iwo Jima ARG that has operated in the region since January.
