Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon launched the operation at the direction of President Donald Trump, claiming it was “defending our country from the drugs that are killing our people.”
The launch of the operation comes as President Trump was briefed on a range of military options against Venezuela earlier this week, according to four sources familiar with the matter, Al-Mayadeen TV EN website reported.
President Trump has not yet made a final decision, but is reportedly evaluating the potential outcomes and consequences of a broader campaign targeting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government, according to CNN.
According to CNN, Wednesday’s meeting included an updated military proposal, but a person close to the meeting stressed that Trump was not close to making a decision. A second person familiar with the discussions said the option was already under consideration within the Pentagon and largely mirrors what was previously reported in public sources.
In recent months, the United States has expanded its sea, air and land presence across the Caribbean, with Washington officials claiming the operation is aimed at “strengthening counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism capabilities.” The move marks one of the most significant developments in Southcom waters in recent years.
The expansion coincided with a series of strikes authorized by US President Donald Trump since early September. The U.S. military is targeting ships that Washington describes as drug-trafficking ships that traverse the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean.
As of Nov. 10, these operations had destroyed about 20 ships and killed at least 75 people, according to a U.S. defense briefing.
MNA