The United States is set to deploy more than 4,000 Marines and Navy personnel to the Caribbean and Latin America in a significant military mobilisation aimed at combating drug cartels, according to CNN. This marks one of the largest deployments of its kind in the region in recent years.
At the heart of the operation is the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), led by the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and accompanied by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. The group also includes two other major vessels: the USS Fort Lauderdale and the USS San Antonio. While the precise destination has not yet been disclosed, the deployment signals a robust show of force.
The military presence extends beyond Marines, incorporating advanced hardware such as a nuclear-powered attack submarine, multiple P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, state-of-the-art destroyers, and a guided missile cruiser. The entire operation falls under the jurisdiction of the US Southern Command.
Officials have emphasised that the move is intended as a strategic deterrent rather than a precursor to immediate military action. It aims to send a clear message to drug trafficking organisations operating in the region. President Trump is reported to have a wide array of military options available should the situation escalate.
However, the decision has sparked internal debate within US defence circles. Critics argue that Marines are not specifically trained for counter-narcotics missions, which typically fall under the purview of the US Coast Guard. Marine Expeditionary Units are traditionally focused on combat operations and large-scale evacuations, not drug interdiction.
The broader context includes growing concern over national security threats posed by so-called “narcoterrorist organisations” in Latin America. The deployment reflects a shift in US military posture towards increased presence in the Western Hemisphere.
Earlier in the year, similar naval assets were dispatched to support the US Northern Command near the Mexico border. The current operation is expected to reinforce the Southern Command for several months. It aligns with a strategic memorandum issued by then-acting Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan, which prioritised homeland defence and border security, including the fight against drug trafficking and illegal migration.
Additionally, the memo called for military options to ensure continued US access to the Panama Canal, suggesting that the mission may serve multiple strategic objectives. As troops and warships move into position, the deployment is poised to reshape the security landscape across Latin American waters.
