WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is boosting its maritime force in the waters off Venezuela to combat threats from Latin American drug cartels with the expected arrival of more vessels next week, an action that will undoubtedly fuel more speculation in Venezuela.

The Navy has sent destroyers, a cruiser and an amphibious ready group with a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the southern Caribbean this month.

The U.S. government has not signaled any planned land incursion from the thousands of personnel being deployed, and analysts and current and former government officials see no possibility of an invasion in Venezuela.