U.S. deploys forces to Caribbean to target drug cartels

The United States has deployed air and naval forces to the southern Caribbean to counter Latin American drug cartels designated as global terrorists, including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua. The move, part of Donald Trump’s security strategy, follows increased aerial surveillance and the deployment of warships to strengthen border control.

U.S. authorities also intensified actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, accused of collaborating with cartels to traffic cocaine—often laced with fentanyl—into the country. The reward for his capture was raised from US$25 million to US$50 million, with over US$700 million in assets already seized.

U.S. officials describe Venezuela as being “kidnapped by a criminal gang,” asserting Maduro’s government is illegitimate. He remains under indictment in the U.S. for narco-terrorism and international cocaine trafficking.