DONALD Trump sent warships to Venezuela as the country’s dictator Nicolas Maduro moved 15,000 troops to the border with Colombia.

A trio of US destroyers along with 4,000 marines have moved towards the coast just weeks after the US administration declared a $50 million reward for capturing the South American ruler.

Additionally, a guided missile cruiser, the USS Erie, and a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine are anticipated to reach the shores of the Caribbean the following week, as confirmed by a reliable source.

This action is part of the US’s official strategy to combat threats from Venezuela’s drug cartels, with officials alleging that Maduro is at the helm of these activities.

In response, the ruler announced on Monday the dispatch of 15,000 troops to Colombia, just a day prior to unveiling his own fleet deployment along the Caribbean coast.

A video released online features Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, who described the deployment as including a “substantial” amount of drones and naval patrols extending “further north within our maritime borders”.

The US deployment of vessels comes as the US President tries to squash  “narco-terrorist organizations” in the region.

In Trump’s initial term, Maduro and several top Venezuelan officials faced charges in a federal court in New York, accused of involvement in a “narco-terrorism” plot.

Investigators say Maduro’s cartel worked hand-in-hand with the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which the US has labeled a terrorist organization.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) “has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons linked to Maduro himself,” Bondi said.

The US government has also seized more than $700 million in Maduro-linked assets, including two Venezuelan government aircraft, since September last year, according to Bondi.

GREEDY RULER

Elected by a narrow margin in March, 2013, Maduro has presided over the country for year as its problems skyrocket.

As his country suffered and starved, Maduro lived a life of luxury and reportedly racked up a fortune of £220million.

In 2018, he sparked outrage after being pictured enjoying a lavish meat banquet hosted by celebrity chef Salt Bae in Istanbul.

While Venezuelans can barely afford fresh meat, the president tucked into the infamous gold-crusted steaks.

“This is a once in a lifetime moment,” the president said as puffed on a cigar and ignored the widespread food shortage raging in his country.

Opposition leader Julio Borges, who fled Venezuela for fear of arrest, tweeted: “While Venezuelans suffer and die of hunger, Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores have a good time in one of the most expensive restaurants in the world, all with money stolen from the Venezuelan people.”

Only a few months earlier, his two stepsons Yoswal Gavidia Flores and Walter Gavidia Flores managed to blow £36,000 on an extravagant 18-night stay at the Ritz hotel in Paris.

The bill was equivalent to the monthly wages of 2,000 Venezuelans – a casual two weeks for the pair who frequently parade themselves around Europe’s most expensive restaurants and hotels.

And back at home, the president and his family can escape the chaos of their own making by hiding out in his luxury enclave in the capital, complete with its own bowling alley, swimming pools, lakes and restaurants.

Maduro and his so-called “dirty dozen” of top lieutenants live in fabulous estates which would not look out of place in the hills of Hollywood.

The five star bolthole is guarded by seven successive checkpoints and hundreds of heavily armed troops.