The U.S. military has deployed warships carrying 4,500 sailors and Marines to the southern Caribbean, in a bid to disrupt Latin American drug cartels. Officials have not disclosed operational details, leaving analysts to piece together the mission’s scope.
Advocates of the deployment highlight the Caribbean as a vital drug trafficking corridor. By interdicting shipments at sea, the U.S. hopes to stem the flow of narcotics heading north to the U.S. and Europe.
Yet critics warn the move could strain relations with Caribbean partners and drive cartels to adopt riskier routes. "Heavy naval patrols may push traffickers closer to shore or into other nations’ waters," notes a regional security expert.
This operation reflects a broader shift in the drug war, where maritime strategies complement land-based efforts. As the U.S. fleet sets sail, observers will watch how local nations balance cooperation with concerns over foreign military presence.
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U.S. warships deployed to Caribbean amid drug cartel tensions
cgtn.com