In a move aimed at countering threats posed by Latin American drug cartels, the United States has ordered more naval ships to the southern Caribbean, according to two sources familiar with the deployment.
The USS Lake Erie, a guided missile cruiser, and the USS Newport News, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, are expected to arrive in the region by early next week. The sources, who requested anonymity, did not disclose specific details regarding the missions but indicated that the deployments are part of efforts to address national security threats from designated “narco-terrorist organizations.”
This recent deployment follows the earlier announcement of an amphibious squadron headed to the southern Caribbean, which includes the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale. These vessels, carrying approximately 4,500 service members—including 2,200 Marines—were anticipated to reach the coast of Venezuela as early as Sunday.
President Donald Trump has made the crackdown on drug cartels a central focus of his administration, linking it to broader goals of limiting migration and enhancing border security. In February, the administration designated Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, along with other drug gangs and the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua, as global terrorist organizations, intensifying immigration enforcement against alleged gang members.
As U.S. naval forces prepare for deployment, the government continues to prioritize strategies to combat the influence of drug cartels in the region.
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