Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscores seriousness of military movements in Caribbean

 September 9, 2025

In a striking announcement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth this week emphasized the seriousness of the U.S. military's role in the Caribbean, as Reuters reports.

The mission involves U.S. sailors and Marines in a significant counter-narcotic operation, directly challenging the Venezuelan leadership.

During a surprise visit to the USS Iwo Jima, Hegseth addressed hundreds of military personnel, underlining that their operation north of Venezuela is not a training drill but an active engagement against narcotics traffickers.

Tensions with Venezuelan government escalate

These stirring words came amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. President Donald Trump has directly accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of facilitating narcotics trafficking into the U.S., an accusation Maduro denies.

Hegseth’s visit, alongside the top U.S. general, underscored the strategic importance placed on Puerto Rico and its proximal waters, crucial in curtailing drug smuggling that purportedly supports the Venezuelan government.

The Trump administration's sharp focus on this region is reflected in the addition of 10 F-35 fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico, enhancing the U.S.'s capability to monitor and strike against suspected drug trafficking operations.

Recent military strike sparks controversy

A recent U.S. military strike in the Caribbean led to 11 casualties and the destruction of a vessel alleged to be carrying drugs. This action has sparked debate among members of Congress regarding the legal and moral justifications of such preemptive strikes.

The Department of Defense, slated to be renamed the Department of War pending congressional approval, defended the operation. Meanwhile, Congress awaits a rescheduled classified briefing on the strike's legality and necessity.

Rep. Adam Smith voiced considerable skepticism about the immediacy of the claimed threat to U.S. security, questioning the broader implications of employing military force in drug enforcement.

International, domestic reactions pour in

Venezuelan officials have fervently refuted the allegations of U.S. officials, asserting the absence of narcotics production within their borders. They suggested that the U.S. should reassess its geographical data, implying errors in naval operations.

Delcy Rodriguez, a noted Venezuelan politician and lawyer, disparaging U.S. claims, pointedly inquired about the existence of a drug cartel in a nation void of drug production. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime supports her assertion, noting that the primary narcotics route is across the Pacific, not the Caribbean.

Provocative encounters continue to elevate tensions, with Venezuelan jets recently approaching dangerously close to a U.S. Navy warship, highlighting the volatile state of U.S.-Venezuelan relations.

Puerto Rican governor acknowledges strategic importance

Puerto Rico's governor, Jenniffer Gonzalez, expressed gratitude towards the Trump administration for recognizing the island's strategic significance in combating narcotics trafficking and securing national interests.

Her sentiment reflects the broader geopolitical chess game wherein Puerto Rico plays a pivotal role in the Western Hemisphere's security architecture against drug cartels linked to Maduro's regime.

"What you're doing right now -- it's not training. This is the real-world exercise on behalf of the vital national interests of the United States of America to end the poisoning of the American people," Hegseth declared, emphasizing the gravity and direct impact of their mission off the Caribbean coast.

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