Three US warships are on their way towards Venezuela’s coast as President Donald Trump steps up pressure on Maduro, accused by Washington of heading a cocaine trafficking cartel.

Interior minister Diosdado Cabello announced that the government was deploying 15,000 troops to bolster security in Zulia and Tachira states, which border Colombia.

“Here, we do fight drug trafficking, here, we do fight drug cartels on all fronts,” he added, announcing the seizure of 53 tonnes of drugs so far this year.

The US accuses both Maduro and Cabello of being members of the Cartel de los Soles (“Cartel of the Suns”), which Washington has designated a terrorist organisation.

Apart from sending three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers to international waters off Venezuela, Washington is also planning to send 4,000 Marines to the region, US media have reported.

Washington also recently doubled its bounty for Maduro’s capture on drug charges to US$50 million.

Maduro has accused the US of attempting to effect regime change and launched a drive to sign up thousands of militia members.