Story perspectives

U.S. Military's Largest Caribbean Deployment Targets Drug Trade

12/19/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. military has deployed about 15,000 personnel to the Caribbean Sea and off Venezuela, the largest buildup in generations.
The buildup began during U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as part of anti-drug efforts aimed at Nicolás Maduro.
The deployment includes 11 warships, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, F-35B jets, and MQ-9 Reaper drones from Puerto Rico; since September, strikes on drug-running boats have caused over 100 fatalities.

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Story summary

The U.S. military has deployed about 15,000 personnel to the Caribbean Sea and off Venezuela, the largest buildup in generations.
The buildup began during U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as part of anti-drug efforts aimed at Nicolás Maduro.
The deployment includes 11 warships, the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, F-35B jets, and MQ-9 Reaper drones from Puerto Rico; since September, strikes on drug-running boats have caused over 100 fatalities.