What we know of the countries backing US military moves in the Caribbean

The United States is escalating its military presence in the Caribbean with support from key Latin American nations, targeting drug trafficking networks and increasing pressure on Venezuela amid rising regional tensions. The Pentagon has formally launched Operation Southern Spear, a comprehensive military mission led by US Southern Command to disrupt illicit drug trafficking in the hemisphere. This operation includes the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, marking the largest US military build-up in the region in decades. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the mission, emphasizing its goal to protect the US homeland from narcotics threats. Several countries are providing logistical and diplomatic support to the US efforts. Trinidad and Tobago, located just kilometers from Venezuela, has declared full support and hosted joint military exercises with US forces. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed strong backing, even suggesting willingness to allow US defense operations if Venezuela attacks Guyana, signaling a shift from neutrality. Guyana has endorsed the deployment, advocating for a collaborative approach to tackle transnational organized crime, specifically naming the Cartel de los Soles linked to Venezuela. The US has designated this group as a foreign terrorist organization, though experts debate its formal structure and Maduro’s direct involvement. Recent visits by US military officials to Guyana reinforce long-standing defense alliances. In Central America, El Salvador is hosting US AC-130J military aircraft at the Comalapa base, providing a strategic position for monitoring Pacific drug routes. President Nayib Bukele’s close ties with the US facilitate this cooperation, though he has not explicitly commented on the deployment. Similarly, Panama is conducting training exercises under bilateral agreements, with President José Raúl Mulino denying any hostile intent towards Venezuela. The Dominican Republic is intensifying joint actions with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, recently seizing large cocaine shipments in support of Operation Southern Spear. Puerto Rico, as a US territory, plays a key role with reactivated naval bases and amphibious drills. However, other bases in Cuba and Honduras face opposition from host governments critical of the US presence. Venezuela has responded aggressively, with President Nicolás Maduro condemning the deployment as a “hostile provocation” and suspending gas agreements with Trinidad and Tobago. The Venezuelan military has mobilized nearly 200,000 troops for exercises, framing the US actions as an imperialist threat. Maduro accuses the US of fabricating narratives to justify strikes that have killed dozens in vessel attacks. Internationally, the US campaign has drawn mixed reactions. While some South American countries like Ecuador, Paraguay, and Argentina have designated Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group, European allies and critics question the legality and effectiveness of the lethal strikes. Analysts suggest the aircraft carrier’s presence is more about pressuring Caracas than combating drugs, hinting at broader geopolitical motives. The escalating military dynamics risk further destabilizing the region, with potential implications for US-Venezuela relations and regional security. As operations continue, the focus remains on whether diplomatic solutions can emerge amid the heightened military posture.