Summary
The United States is keeping a strong military presence in the Caribbean Sea amid tensions with Venezuela. U.S. fighter jets are performing live-fire exercises as part of operations against drug trafficking linked to the Venezuelan government.
Key Facts
- U.S. fighter jets are conducting live-fire drills in the Caribbean.
- The Pentagon has deployed ships and fighter jets for counter-narcotics operations targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's regime.
- U.S. forces have conducted strikes on four drug trafficking boats off Venezuela.
- President Donald Trump has declared an "armed conflict" with drug cartels.
- The U.S. Southern Command oversees military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- AV-8B jets conducted live-fire training from the USS Iwo Jima, a large amphibious warship.
- F-35B stealth fighter jets participated in exercises in an undisclosed Caribbean location.
- Some F-35B jets landed in Puerto Rico to support Southern Command operations.
