US military deploying forces to southern Caribbean against drug groups

14/8/2025 18:18

The United States has ordered the deployment of U.S. air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea to address threats from Latin American drug cartels, two sources briefed on the decision told Reuters on Thursday.



The sources had few details of the operation, but President Donald Trump has wanted to use the military to go after Latin American drug gangs that have been designated as global terrorist organizations. The Pentagon had been directed to prepare options.



Trump has made cracking down on drug cartels a central goal of his administration, part of a wider effort to limit migration and secure the U.S. southern border.



The Trump administration in recent months has already deployed at least two warships to help in border security efforts and drug trafficking.



The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Defense Department has begun ordering the deployment of U.S. air and naval forces to the Southern Caribbean Sea.



"This deployment is aimed at addressing threats to U.S. national security from specially designated narco-terrorist organizations in the region," one of the sources said.