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The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Caribbean amid rising tensions with Venezuela, as a Marine Corps unit conducts “realistic” training exercises in the region. The North Carolina-based 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, capable of rapid response to protect America’s national security interests, said the training event in southern Puerto Rico aims to enhance regional security, disaster response capabilities, and capacity building.
Why It Matters
The Pentagon has recently deployed several naval vessels—including destroyers, a nuclear-powered submarine, and amphibious ships—in the Caribbean as part of the Trump administration’s counter-narcotics operations. In response to this U.S. military presence, Venezuela has mobilized forces along its coastline. President Nicolás Maduro, who faces a $50 million reward for his arrest from the U.S., said the country is at maximum readiness to defend against what he calls a “bloody threat.”
What To Know
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit commenced amphibious training and flight operations in Puerto Rico—a U.S. island territory in the Caribbean Sea—on Sunday. The unit, operating with the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima along with the amphibious transport dock ships USS San Antonio and USS Fort Lauderdale, noted that the challenging terrain and tropical climate of Puerto Rico provide an ideal environment for realistic training.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a specialized Navy-Marine Corps team ready to serve as the nation’s force of choice. Colonel Tom Trimble, the commanding officer, stated, “We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win; anywhere, anytime.”
Photos show that the Iwo Jima is equipped with AV-8B attack aircraft, MV-22B tilt-rotor transport aircraft, AH-1Z attack helicopters, and landing craft air cushions for amphibious operations.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit stated in a press release that the training is designed to enhance its readiness while fostering stronger relationships with the Puerto Rican National Guard. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said at a press conference that pursuing regime change has failed as a policy worldwide and that the U.S. cannot impose a situation in Venezuela.
What Happens Next
It remains unclear whether the U.S. military will deploy additional units to the Caribbean in the coming days as part of Trump’s efforts to increase pressure on Venezuela.
