The US Department of Defense has deployed an unusually large fleet of warships to waters off Central and South America, the Financial Times reported, as President Donald Trump's administration seeks to step up its efforts to combat drug trafficking.

The US Navy has sent at least seven ships to the coast of Latin America, including three guided-missile destroyers, an amphibious assault ship and a cruiser, according to the newspaper. A nuclear-powered attack submarine has also been deployed to the area, according to the FT's source.

The newspaper reported that the USS Jason Dunham and USS Gravely warships are deployed off the coast of Venezuela, while the USS Sampson destroyer is currently in the Pacific Ocean south of Panama. The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, along with two support vessels and more than 4,500 military personnel, are reportedly en route to the area. At least five of the deployed vessels are armed with long-range Tomahawk missiles, according to the FT.

The Trump administration has been using particularly harsh rhetoric against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, repeatedly calling him an “illegitimate president” and accusing him of facilitating the international drug trade. The US says Maduro leads the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns), a gang that Washington considers a terrorist organisation.

Colombia is ready to help

Maduro responded by deploying 15,000 troops to the border with Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has suggested that if the United States attacks neighboring Venezuela, its armed forces could help.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, when asked last week whether the United States planned to deploy troops to Venezuela, said President Trump"is prepared to use all means of American power to prevent the flow of drugs into the country."

According to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, the fight against drugs requires a “whole-of-government effort and close coordination with regional partners.” Parnell says Trump is trying to “eliminate the ability of these cartels to threaten the territory and security of the United States.”

The US doubled the reward for Maduro's capture to $50 million in early August. The Venezuelan president has accused the United States of seeking regime change in his country and launched a nationwide campaign to recruit thousands of militia members.