The United States has deployed both air and naval forces to the southern Caribbean Sea to confront Latin American drug cartels, which the Trump administration has officially labeled as global terrorist organizations, according to Pentagon sources reported by Reuters. This move is part of a more assertive strategy by the Republican administration, which has made the fight against drug trafficking a national security priority and a crucial element of its immigration policy.
"This deployment aims to address U.S. national security threats from specially designated narcoterrorist organizations in the region," one anonymous source told Reuters. Since resuming his presidency, Trump has authorized military operations against cartels outside U.S. borders—an unprecedented decision that positions the military at the forefront of the anti-drug campaign, both domestically and internationally.
According to The New York Times, the presidential directive empowers the Armed Forces to carry out actions traditionally reserved for civilian agencies, such as pursuing, capturing, and neutralizing suspects. Recently, the U.S. Department of State classified six Mexican cartels, including those of Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, as foreign terrorist organizations, along with Venezuela's Tren de Aragua and the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), adding them to a global terrorism blacklist typically reserved for groups like Al Qaeda or ISIS.
The official document asserts that these organizations pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States' security, economy, and foreign policy. The stated reasons include drug, arms, and human trafficking, as well as their active presence within U.S. territory. As part of this new policy, the Pentagon has increased the use of surveillance drones over Mexican and Venezuelan territories.
Official reports indicate that members of criminal organizations detained in U.S. immigration operations are being deported to Guantanamo Naval Base in eastern Cuba, reminiscent of post-9/11 policies and raising new questions about human rights and due process.
The deployment of U.S. forces in the Caribbean, a historically sensitive area for Latin America, particularly for countries like Cuba and Venezuela, rekindles fears of potential regional escalation. The Mexican government has already expressed its opposition to such unilateral actions by the U.S., warning that they could lead to direct intervention.
Meanwhile, the regime of Nicolás Maduro remains a direct target of Washington's accusations. The U.S. Treasury recently designated the Cartel of the Suns, allegedly led by Maduro, as a terrorist organization, and the Department of Justice has offered a $50 million reward for his capture.
FAQs on U.S. Military Deployment in the Caribbean
Why has the U.S. deployed military forces in the southern Caribbean?
The deployment is aimed at confronting Latin American drug cartels, which the U.S. has designated as global terrorist organizations, in order to address national security threats.
What changes have been made to U.S. military operations under Trump's administration?
Trump's administration has authorized military operations against drug cartels outside U.S. borders, empowering the Armed Forces to perform actions like pursuit, capture, and neutralization of suspects.
Which organizations have been added to the U.S. terrorism blacklist?
The U.S. has added six Mexican cartels, including Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, and the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) to its global terrorism blacklist.