U.S. Military Deploys Thousands Of Troops, Aircraft To Southern Caribbean For 'Enhanced Counter-Narcotics Operations'

The U.S. military is deploying thousands of troops and four aircraft with their crews to the Southern Caribbean to "support enhanced counter-narcotics operations" against cartels in the region.

The move follows an order from President Donald Trump, which directed the Pentagon last week to prepare options for military action against them.

CNN reported on Friday that more than 4,000 Marines and sailors are being deployed. They are the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to US Southern Command.

The army is also deploying a nuclear-powered attack submarine, more P8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, destroyers and a guided-missile cruiser.

An official told the outlet that the buildup is for now largely a show of force and seeks to send a message rather than being an indicator of a concrete intention to effectively carry out attacks.

The US Southern Command said in a press release that the aircraft will "fly detection and monitoring missions in international airspace to help U.S. and international law enforcement authorities disrupt and defeat transnational criminal organizations trafficking illegal narcotics in the region."

"This is a national security issue. President Donald Trump announced the enhanced counter-narcotics operations April 1. Since then, the U.S. has collaborated with international partners in more than a dozen Caribbean interdiction events," the release added.

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, leading some to speculate about the chances that the development could lead to an attack against Venezuela's authoritarian government.

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."

Maduro issued a warning of his own: "Don't you dare because the answer can be the end of the U.S. empire. I am a man of peace."