The Trump administration has launched a controversial military operation in the Caribbean, raising fears of a prolonged campaign in Latin America under the banner of the “war on drugs.”
According to reports, a fleet of 10 U.S. F-35 fighter jets has moved into Puerto Rican airspace after Washington claimed it had identified a vessel operated by Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua cartel. The U.S. did not release clear evidence to support the claim, but officials labeled the action part of an intensified crackdown on organized crime.
President Donald Trump has made drug cartels a central target of his second-term agenda. His administration previously designated groups like Tren de Aragua as terrorist organizations, placing them at the top of its security threat list.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, however, accused the U.S. of using drug crime as a pretext for “regime change through military threats.” Speaking in a rare news conference, Maduro warned that Washington’s military buildup in the region echoed past U.S. interventions that fueled resentment among local populations.
This latest move follows another U.S. operation earlier in the week, when American forces attacked a vessel Trump claimed was transporting “massive amounts of drugs” from Venezuela. That strike left at least 11 people dead, sparking concerns that such missions could become regular military actions across Latin America.
The U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has visibly grown. At least seven warships and a nuclear-powered submarine carrying more than 4,500 sailors and Marines have been deployed. While it remains unclear if all units have arrived, the buildup suggests preparation for extended operations. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, already conducting amphibious and flight training in southern Puerto Rico, is believed to be spearheading the mission.
Experts warn this strategy may escalate tensions in the region, potentially fueling instability rather than solving the drug crisis. Many in Latin America view Washington’s actions as another example of U.S. interference in their internal affairs, which could spark further backlash.
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