US President Donald Trump is deploying three warships off the coast of Venezuela as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking, a source familiar with the move said Wednesday.

The deployment comes as the Trump administration steps up pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, doubling its bounty to $50 million earlier this month on drug charges against the leftist strongman.

The three Aegis-class guided missile destroyers are heading to the waters off Venezuela, the US source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

US media reported that Washington was also planning to send 4,000 Marines to the region.

Washington, which does not recognize Maduro's past two election victories, accuses him of leading the Cartel de los Soles ("Cartel of the Suns") cocaine trafficking gang.

The Treasury Depa

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