US Military Presence in the Caribbean: A New Battlefield

Strategic Insights -

As the US military presence in the Caribbean continues to escalate, with thousands of troops, warships, and aircraft deployed across the region, President Donald Trump's campaign against "narcoterrorists" has transformed the area into a contentious battleground. Since August, Washington has reopened military bases in Puerto Rico and conducted drills, marking the largest US presence in Latin America in decades. The US has carried out at least ten deadly strikes on Venezuelan boats, killing at least 43 people, under the authority of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The operations have been conducted in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, raising questions about the legality of the US's use of force, especially when no imminent threat was present.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US has deployed thousands of troops, warships, and aircraft across the Caribbean region since August, marking the largest US presence in Latin America in decades.
  • US military operations in the Caribbean have resulted in at least ten deadly strikes on Venezuelan boats, killing at least 43 people, under the authority of the US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).
  • The US has reopened military bases in Puerto Rico and conducted drills in the region, with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group forming the expeditionary core of the US presence in the Caribbean.
  • The US fleet has been reinforced with several naval assets, including four surface combatants and one submarine capable of carrying Tomahawk long-range missiles, as well as the aircraft carrier strike group USS Gerald Ford and five destroyers.
  • The US Air Force has deployed advanced aircraft, including B-52H strategic bombers, F-35 stealth fighters, and MQ-9 Reaper drones, in support of operations in the Caribbean.
  • SOUTHCOM's special operations component consists of MH-60 Black Hawks and AH-MH-6 Little Bird helicopters for troop insertion and reconnaissance, and about 10,000 troops have been sent to the US territory of Puerto Rico.
  • Venezuela has responded to the US military presence by launching large-scale naval and air exercises and mobilizing the Bolivarian militia, while President Nicolas Maduro has called for millions of volunteers to defend the country's sovereignty.

Statistics:

  • US military operations in the Caribbean have resulted in at least ten deadly strikes on Venezuelan boats, with 43 people killed.
  • The US has deployed at least 10 F-35 stealth fighters, including models B and C, in support of operations in the Caribbean.
  • The USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group includes 75+ fighter jets, helicopters, and early warning aircraft, as well as three missile destroyers, each capable of attacking targets deep within Venezuela.
  • The US fleet has been reinforced with four surface combatants, one submarine capable of carrying Tomahawk long-range missiles, and several support vessels.
  • About 10,000 troops have been sent to the US territory of Puerto Rico in support of US military operations in the Caribbean.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera, "Trump says US struck another alleged drug-smuggling vessel, killing three" (September 20, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera, "Trump seems to confirm report that he greenlit CIA operations in Venezuela" (October 15, 2025)
  • Al Jazeera, "US conducts 10th deadly boat strike as bombing campaign quickens" (October 24, 2025)
  • SOUTHCOM, "About US Southern Command"
  • US Air Force, "B-52H Stratofortress"
  • US Navy, "F-35B Lightning II"
  • US Naval Operations, "MQ-9 Reaper"
  • Reuters, "US sends aircraft carrier strike group to Latin America, amid escalating tensions with Venezuela"
  • BBC News, "US imposes sanctions on Venezuelan officials over human rights abuses"