Coming soon: the USS Lake Erie missile launcher crossed the Panama Canal en route to Venezuela

The USS Lake Erie, a missile-launching vessel belonging to the United States Navy, has been spotted in recent hours crossing the Panama Canal en route to Venezuela. The ship will be part of the military operation ordered by President Donald Trump to combat the activities of the Cartel of the Suns, led by Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. 

The sighting has caused a stir on social media. The specialized website Cruising Earth, which allows users to track ships' routes in real time, as well as civilians and other Central American media outlets, have echoed the progress of this powerful vessel on the night of August 29. 

Lake Erie had been docked for the past two days at the port of Rodman, at the Pacific entrance of the canal. Its arrival in Panamanian waters coincides with the visit of Republican Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, to that country, where he met with sailors and military personnel assigned to the mission. 

Details of the operation against Maduro. 

The USS Lake Erie, whose vertical launch system allows it to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles to attack land and air targets, will be accompanied in the anti-narcotics operation by three ships from the Iwo Jima amphibious group. Three other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers—the USS Gravely, USS Sampson, and USS Jason Dunham—will be part of the mission. 

It is estimated that around 4,000 U.S. military personnel will be involved in an operation aimed at striking the logistical heart of Latin American drug cartels. They will be assisted by the aforementioned naval fleet, spy planes, and at least one nuclear attack submarine.

Although the United States has not made any public threat to invade Venezuela, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated last Thursday that Maduro is "an illegitimate president" and that President Trump "is willing to use all American power to stop the flow of drugs into our country and bring those responsible to justice." 

Maduro, for whom the U.S. justice system is offering 50 million dollars for his capture, replied to this offensive with a woeful display of military might, stating that he will patrol his waters with drones and ships, in addition to resorting to the conscription of the elderly to form what the dictator calls "popular militias."