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The United States government announced the creation of a new Joint Task Force in the area of responsibility of Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), aimed at combating drug trafficking cartels and stopping the influx of drugs into U.S. territory.
According to the official message, this is due to an order from the President of the United States, and the priority is to “end the cartels, stop the poison, and keep the United States safe.”
The statement emphasizes a maximum pressure approach on the criminal networks operating in the Caribbean and their supply routes to the U.S. coasts. The declaration was blunt.
“If they traffic drugs to our shores, we will stop them mercilessly.”
The decision positions the Caribbean as apriority operational front in the drug strategy of Washington within the SOUTHCOM perimeter, which coordinates military and security efforts with countries in the region.
The statement does not detail the composition, involved parties, or deployment timeline of the new force, aspects that will be clarified in later phases.
In operational terms, the establishment of a joint force aims to integrate capabilities —intelligence, surveillance, and patrolling— to intercept shipments and dismantle logistical networks of transnational criminal organizations. For now, official communication is limited to emphasizing the presidential mandate and the deterrent nature of the measure.
The government of Donald Trump has intensified its military deployment in the Caribbean Sea in recent weeks, under the pretext of a campaign against drug trafficking, but analysts and officials consulted by the New York Times agreed that the true goal is to increase pressure to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. presence in the region includes eight warships, an attack submarine, several P-8 surveillance aircraft, and ten F-35 stealth fighters, recently relocated to Puerto Rico to deter overflights by Venezuelan aviation and to be ready in case Trump orders airstrikes. In total, about 4,500 military personnel are part of the operation, according to sources from the Pentagon.
Since early September, the American army has destroyed several vessels that, according to Washington, were transporting drugs to the United States.
However, the Venezuelan leader denounced it as an "atrocious crime" against unarmed civilians, accusing the White House of wanting to start a war.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Joint Task Force in the Caribbean
What is the main objective of the new Joint Task Force in the Caribbean?
The main objective of the new Joint Task Force in the Caribbean is to combat drug trafficking cartels and curb the influx of drugs into U.S. territory. This initiative is part of the strategy of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and focuses on applying maximum pressure on the criminal networks operating in the Caribbean region.
Why has the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean intensified?
The intensification of the U.S. military presence in the Caribbean is due to the campaign against drug trafficking and the attempt to increase pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. According to analysts and officials, this strategy also aims for a regime change in Caracas, employing military operations to combat criminal organizations designated as terrorists by Washington.
What military resources has the U.S. deployed in the Caribbean?
The United States has deployed eight warships, one attack submarine, P-8 surveillance aircraft, and ten F-35 stealth fighters in the Caribbean, among other military resources. This deployment is part of the strategy to intercept drug trafficking routes and deter any hostile activities, especially concerning Venezuelan aviation.
What is Venezuela's reaction to the presence of U.S. military forces?
Venezuela has reacted by denouncing the actions of the United States as an “atrocious crime” and an imperialist threat. Nicolás Maduro has accused Washington of wanting to start a war and has mobilized military forces in response to what he considers a direct aggression.
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