U.S. Operations In The Caribbean Could Also Be Aimed At 'Getting Russia And China Out Of The Western Hemisphere': Report

The U.S.'s operations in the Caribbean could be aimed at removing the Venezuelan regime from power, but also to get China and Russia out of the Western Hemisphere, according to a new report.

Fox News cited Rep. Eric Schmitt, who said it is "we ought to be that our interests are respected in our own hemisphere." The outlet noted that recent developments, including designating the Cartel de los Soles, which the U.S. accuses authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro and other top officials of leading, as a terrorist organization, as well as leaks of CIA covert ops and potentially dropping leaflets highlighting the bounty on authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro, seem to be part of psychological operations against the regime.

Elsewhere, NewsNation journalist Kellie Meyer said the U.S. Southern Command (Southcom) is restricting leave over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays in preparation for potential land strikes in the coming days. She cited a source who noted that the possible land strikes could take place "in the next 10 days to two weeks."

At the same time, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is set to visit the Caribbean on Monday. Citing two people familiar with the matter, the NYT added that the stated reason for the trip of Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is thanking troops ahead of Thanksgiving.

However, the outlet added, Caine was key in developing Operation Southern Spear, the largest buildup of forces in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis, and which has seen more than 20 strikes against alleged drug vessels that have so far killed over 80 people.

The Venezuelan regime, in turn, has rejected the designation of the Cartel de los Soles, calling it a "new and ridiculous lie from Secretary of State Marco Rubio," claiming that it is an "infamous a vile lie to justify an illegitimate and illegal intervention against Venezuela under the classic U.S. format of regime change."

"This new maneuver will face the same fate as the previous and recurring aggressions against our country: it will fail," the release adds.

The document goes on to claim the move is wasting the regime's time, but, "fortunately, the Venezuelan people are more united and cohesive than ever, going about national life in all its dimension and on its way to Christmas festivities." The designation in question went into effect on Monday.