The situation around Venezuela has escalated dramatically. Reports indicate 11 US naval vessels, including the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, have been deployed in proximity to Venezuelan waters. This deployment follows what sources describe as an unsuccessful communication attempt between Washington and Caracas, where Maduro reportedly sought guarantees but received an ultimatum instead. The military positioning marks a significant shift in approach, moving beyond economic sanctions into what some analysts call a direct pressure campaign. Markets are watching closely as this could trigger regional instability and potentially impact commodity flows.