Venezuela has announced a major military exercise, reportedly involving 200,000 troops, as a U.S. Navy flotilla nears Caribbean waters.

Venezuela announced Tuesday that it was launching a massive military exercise across the country, reportedly involving some 200,000 forces, in response to the increasing presence of U.S. military assets in the region.

The announcement by Venezuela’s military came as the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford had entered the Southern Command’s area of responsibility — which includes the Caribbean.