The United States has begun deploying air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea to counter what officials describe as threats from Latin American drug cartels designated as global terrorist organizations, according to two sources consulted by Reuters on Thursday.
The move follows a reported order from President Donald Trump, which directed the Pentagon last week to prepare options for military action against them.
"This deployment is aimed at addressing threats to U.S. national security from specially designated narco-terrorist organizations in the region," one source told Reuters.
In February, the Trump administration designated Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, Venezuela's Tren de Aragua, and other groups as foreign terrorist organizations. More recently, the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles was added to the list, with the administration alleging it is led by President Nicolás Maduro and senior members of his government.
The United States also recently doubled its reward for information leading to Mr. Maduro's arrest to $50 million, citing drug trafficking charges.
The New York Times reported last week that President Trump has signed a classified order authorizing the use of military force against these cartels, potentially opening the door to direct operations at sea and, in some cases, on foreign soil. Officials familiar with the discussions said the military has been considering capture missions and other operations, with lethal force permitted in self-defense.
Legal experts have noted that such military action would raise questions under U.S. and international law, especially if undertaken without the consent of foreign governments or congressional authorization. Past U.S. counter-narcotics operations in Latin America have generally been framed as support for law enforcement, not unilateral combat missions.
Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio described Maduro earlier this week as "the head of a drug-trafficking logistics organization, the Cartel of the Suns, which is basically run by the military," warning that "at some point we have to take these people on with more than just rewards."
Mr. Maduro, joined by local political leaders and army chiefs, responded by warning Washington:
"Don't you dare because the answer can be the end of the U.S. empire. I am a man of peace."
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
