rising Tensions in the Caribbean as US Bolsters Military Presence Near Venezuela
San Juan, Puerto Rico - General Dan Caine, the Chief of Staff of the U.S.military,recently visited a military base in Puerto Rico to address troops and senior officers of the southern Command,the unit overseeing U.S. operations in latin America. This visit comes amidst a important deployment of naval and military personnel to the Caribbean, officially framed by the U.S. as a counter-narcotics operation, but viewed by Venezuelan officials and analysts as a potential move to destabilize the Maduro government.
The situation escalated this week with the U.S. Treasury Department designating the “Cartel of the suns” – a network of individuals and groups allegedly involved in drug trafficking within Venezuela – as a foreign terrorist association.This designation allows for the freezing of any assets held by the group or its members within the United states and has fueled concerns about potential U.S.military action within Venezuelan territory.
The Pentagon stated that General Caine’s visit was intended to express gratitude for the ”dedicated and unwavering service” of the approximately 15,000 U.S. service members currently stationed in the Caribbean region. This force includes the gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, which joined the flotilla in recent weeks. Since August,U.S.forces have reportedly intercepted and sunk at least 21 vessels suspected of drug trafficking,resulting in at least 83 fatalities. These actions have drawn criticism from legal experts, legislators, and human rights advocates who question their legality.
Washington has increasingly linked President Nicolás Maduro to international drug trafficking, alleging he leads the “Cartel of the suns.” The reward for Maduro’s capture has been doubled to $50 million, framing him as a key figure in “narcoterrorism.” While President Trump has indicated a willingness to engage in dialog with the Venezuelan regime, he has also alluded to a potential “second phase” of military operations that could involve direct intervention on Venezuelan soil.
Venezuela vehemently denies these accusations. The Cartel of the Suns was previously sanctioned by the Treasury Department in July. Adding to the heightened atmosphere, the U.S.Federal Aviation Governance issued a weekend advisory recommending airlines avoid Venezuelan airspace due to increased military activity, prompting at least seven international carriers to suspend routes to and from the country.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation as the U.S. continues to build its military presence in the region and maintain pressure on the Maduro government.
