President Nicolás Maduro said Venezuela would not back down while facing a U.S. naval buildup. But many in the country doubt a confrontation will come at all.

A major increase in U.S. naval forces in the south Caribbean Sea has been underway since President Trump signed a directive targeting some cartels.

President Nicolás Maduro said Venezuela would not back down while facing a U.S. naval buildup. But many in the country doubt a confrontation will come at all.