On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth boarded the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, stationed in the Caribbean Sea, as part of the U.S. military's ongoing operation against drug trafficking. This visit is part of the Pentagon's increased military presence in the region, which now includes at least seven warships and over 4,500 sailors and Marines, in response to what Washington claims is a surge in drug trafficking originating from Venezuela.
Addressing U.S. Marines prior to boarding the USS Iwo Jima, Hegseth stated, "What you are doing now is not a drill. This is a real mission, undertaken in defense of the vital national interests of the United States of America: stopping the poisoning of the American people." The Defense Secretary emphasized, “Narcoterrorists and drug traffickers are on notice,” clearly indicating that the current operation is far from a mere exercise.
Before his embarkation on the USS Iwo Jima, Hegseth, along with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, met with approximately 300 troops at the Muñiz Air Base in Carolina. Both officials later transitioned to the ship, one of the most formidable assets in the U.S. naval arsenal. This amphibious assault vessel serves as a floating military base, capable of housing nearly 2,000 Marines and featuring a vertical takeoff aircraft launch platform.
Venezuela's Military Presence in the Caribbean
Military activities have intensified following recent large-scale exercises conducted south of Puerto Rico and the Pentagon's report of Venezuelan aircraft flying near the destroyer USS Jason Dunham on Friday. Venezuelan fighter jets flew over the USS Jason Dunham for the second time in as many days, within international waters. U.S. Department of Defense officials described this maneuver as "playing with fire."
The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) F-16s approached close enough to be within the weapons range of both the ship and aircraft. It remains unspecified whether the jets were armed. In response, the U.S. reportedly dispatched an additional ten F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico.
Pete Hegseth's visit also comes shortly after Nicolás Maduro's regime announced the reinforcement of troops in five coastal Venezuelan states, referring to it as their "Caribbean and Atlantic front." On Monday, Diosdado Cabello urged citizens to "prepare on all fronts" and to "move towards an armed populace" to defend Venezuela against the bolstered U.S. naval presence.
U.S. Military Operations in the Caribbean: Key Questions
What is the purpose of the USS Iwo Jima's deployment in the Caribbean?
The USS Iwo Jima is deployed in the Caribbean as part of a U.S. military operation aimed at combating drug trafficking, particularly in response to increased activity believed to originate from Venezuela.
How has the U.S. responded to Venezuelan military maneuvers near its naval vessels?
In response to Venezuelan jets flying near the USS Jason Dunham, the U.S. has described these actions as provocative and has bolstered its presence by sending additional F-35 fighter jets to Puerto Rico.
What steps has Venezuela taken in reaction to increased U.S. military activity?
In response to the heightened U.S. military presence, Venezuela has reinforced its troop deployments in coastal states and has called for the populace to prepare for defense, suggesting an escalation of military readiness.